32. Kind of a Beeg Deal

Yesterday I took the first step into a major new aspect of the farm with a little help (okay, a LOT of help) from my special friends at Locust Ridge Organics who are moving their farm from Kentucky to Vermont.

Can you imagine moving an entire working farm? I had a hard enough time with some chickens and a collection of garden tools! Yikes!

Since they are in liquidation mode in preparation for their big relocation, I benefited from their generosity and expertise.

Above: the haul, me and Magic Mama Kelly Brown of Locust Ridge Organics, and a stuffed truck.

Yes, they loaded me up with a ridiculous amount of agricultural equipment which will definitely not only save money but also will speed up the implementation of some of the growing programs I have planned. Additionally, I got something that is a super-exciting game-changer for the farm: bees.

Bees are an integral part of a diverse, ecologically-sound growing system. First, they pollinate plants, which is essentially how food gets made all over the world. But they also make honey, wax, pollen, and royal jelly, all of which can be used by us to improve health and well-being. They’re pretty amazing creatures, so please, don’t swat them, flick them, run from them, or gas them with poison: like humans, they just want to be left alone to do their jobs. Unfortunately, also like humans, they are misunderstood, assumed to be aggressive or dangerous, and are feared by those who do not know them.

I have a lot to continue learning about keeping, maintaining, and raising new hives, and I am so excited to begin. Now, I just have to wait for the weather to cooperate, continue doing my research, and listen to what the hives want from the land and from me.

Since this is an established hive, I get the benefit of their strong genetics. This is a group of bees and a queen that have a routine, a healthy home, and presently, are also eagerly awaiting spring.

I’ll be adding a new hive or two as the weather warms, and then the adventure will truly begin.

Now, to move this heavy load from my truck to their home beneath the maple trees.