Beekeeping with Friends!

Recently I visited the lavender farm and wedding venue of a family friend in Sequim to learn more about local backyard beekeeping. Keith McCloskey is the co-owner of Flatiron Fields where he has 15 colonies of bees this year, all poised and ready for the lavender to bloom. Currently the bees are feeding on other flowers in the area, but I am told that it will be an audible frenzy when the lavender season kicks off next month.

We discussed simple problem-solving methods developed by beekeepers to address various challenges that present themselves (such as bee health, moisture and pest issues, weather and climate issues, and collection and processing concerns). As an innovation enthusiast and solution-finder, I love to dig into this type of discussion! I touch on just a few of the concepts we discussed in this post, adding a few that I found online, too. Beekeeping solutions can come from experience in gardening, animal husbandry, herbal medicine, and beyond!

I'm excited to go back in a few weeks and see the fields full of flowers and abuzz with bee activity. Perhaps I will even get to put on the bee suit and lend a hand with some of the chores! :)