We are buzzing about Bees!

We are so excited to learn more about Bees!  I took for granted that every time I saw a container of honey on the shelf at walmart, that it was really honey.  After reading many internet sites and blogs about bees and honey I realize that I wasn't really eating 100% honey.  The processing of honey can vary in many ways and also the care of the hive itself can determine lots about the honey you eat!  Most processed honey is heated to high temperatures which kills the important enzymes that you eat honey for.  The honey is super filtered so the consumer won't find anything in their honey but what you don't realize that all this processing is killing the honey.  There are some honey producers that don't filter at all.  I'm not so sure about finding a bee leg or clump of wax in my honey but I like the idea of taking as much processing out of the equation as possible.  It is something to think about as we try to eat better!

We have joined the Beauregard Parish Bee Keepers Association and Jesse is on his way to learning all he can about bees.  They have their meeting on the first Monday of the month at 7 pm at the War Memorial Museum in DeRidder. 

The President, Mr. Richard Hebert, called Jesse and had a swarm he wanted him to start off with for his first hive!  We went to his home and picked up his package of bees who we questioned if they would be happy at our home since they weren't happy in their previous one!  We got them home and placed in the pasture and they like it!  We still have bees 2 months later and they are making honey!  We thank Mr. Hebert for getting us started and we are so excited to continue learning! He has 75 or so hives himself!  I find Jesse reading anything he can on bees.  He loves to go and "check" his bees.  With only 1 sting so far we are doing well!. 

We hope to help our children start their own Apiary in the Longville Area.  Did you know that the largest Apiary in Louisiana used to be on Hwy 171 in Moss Bluff?  We just learned that bit of history from a customer.  Small world.  I hope that our children are interested enough in bees to continue growing our bee population and continue making honey for our customers!