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It is funny what you can learn by being a part of a community listserv. Early last year, a neighbor sent out a notice on the Historic Anacostia Listserv about an upcoming beekeeping course in Maryland called BUMBA (Bowie-Upper Marlboro Beekeepers Association).
Being a huge fan of the Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, I thought I would go and check it out. Needless to say, after the course, I was hooked. I said to myself I got to try this out. I was amazed by how much honey bees affect our everyday life.
Being a huge fan of the Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, I thought I would go and check it out. Needless to say, after the course, I was hooked. I said to myself I got to try this out. I was amazed by how much honey bees affect our everyday life.
Did you know that bees are the only insect that produces food eaten by humans and are responsible for 1/3 of the food we eat. Without bees we probably would not be able to enjoy such foods as almonds, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, etc.
As a backyard beekeeper, I have learned a lot about bees. But of course, like any person interested in this hobby, my ultimate goal was to see if I could get some honey out of this investment.
All spring and summer of 2011 I took care my new insect friends in hopes of being able to produce honey in 2012. After almost giving up, I was excited to find out a couple of weeks ago that one hive actually produced several pounds of real honey! I wanted to share some of the pics below….Enjoy!
This is by far the coolest thing I have ever done! Bees are amazing! One day I may write an article on what we can learn from bees in improving the quality of life in our Ward 8 Community.
All spring and summer of 2011 I took care my new insect friends in hopes of being able to produce honey in 2012. After almost giving up, I was excited to find out a couple of weeks ago that one hive actually produced several pounds of real honey! I wanted to share some of the pics below….Enjoy!
This is by far the coolest thing I have ever done! Bees are amazing! One day I may write an article on what we can learn from bees in improving the quality of life in our Ward 8 Community.
So I start out by placing 10 of these plastic frames in a hive box. |
Once you remove the caps you can see the stored honey.
Almost there...
Now I have to do the same to the other side...Cool huh?
I then have to put each frame into this honey extractor machine to spin out the honey from each honey comb. |
Taking a peak inside to make sure I am doing this right. Charlie Wilson's Honey! This year I was able to get about 16 lbs of honey = 26 bottles. Hopefully next year I will be able to get more. Who wants some? Remember Local Honey is superior to the stuff you buy in the grocery store. The stuff in the store has likely been heated and processed so it looks shelf ready. Local Honey = honey harvested 30 miles from your house is the one that has the greatest health benefits and can also help with allergies. Special thanks to Toni Burnham and Jeff Miller from D.C. Honeybees Inc. for being great mentors. To learn more about beekeeping check out the blog D.C. Honeybees. You never know, there may be an East of the River/Ward 8 Beekeeper Association one day... |
Save me a jar!!!
ReplyDeleteimpressive!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool... really cool.
ReplyDeleteI'll buy a bottle!
ReplyDeleteThis is too awesome! Save me a jar of Charlie's Honey! :-)
ReplyDeleteRock on, Charles!!
ReplyDeleteSo proud to be associated with you!
Toni
Charles, this is very cool, man! Anacostia's own fresh honey :) I want 2 jars!
ReplyDeleteCharles. So glad it worked out! Now to get you that new queen I promised!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting process!
ReplyDeleteThink it'll help with my hayfever? If so, save me a jar...
ReplyDeleteCharles, this is too cool! I'm totally impressed. Count me in for 2 jars. Inbox/email me the costs.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, very informative, and I love all the photographs. Good luck with this Charles, and save me a jar too.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter said, "my next science project! But wait, I'm afraid of bees." LOL. Great story, great project. Would love to have a jar if you have any left.
ReplyDeleteLove it.....can I get a jar?? Homemade Honey! Yes indeed.
ReplyDeleteSaw your blob info in the Washington Post. email me with the
invoice and other details.
How do we get some? I suffer from allergies and would love to get some local honey -- and would be proud to help support your endeavor!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! I would love to buy a jar if any are still available.
ReplyDeleteWhere can we purchase this honey? My father was a beekeeper when we were little in the Virgin Islands! We love honey. please email me at abaninstitute@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteOmg this is amazing! I totally have to try this! I always yell at people who try to kill bees we need bees to survive.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I'm impressed! Great job with your business venture! and Congrats on yopur product!
ReplyDeleteSidebar: I think I got stung by one of your bees! This is the first year that I've seen so many agressive bees on my block! baker.kimberlee3@gmail.com
que bonito
ReplyDeleteHow Much?
ReplyDelete