Honey Timeline

just a few jars. I pulled almost 20 lbs/honey from the one hive. and left three full  frames in for them.

Someone asked me the other day it didn't seem that long for me to have gotten so much honey. Got me thinking on when I first started.

August 2013  Went to the S. Florida Bee College and spent 3 days learning about bees. As well as the Small Farms Conference where I had taken a class that started the interest. (The thought to keep bees had been swimming around for years).

September 7 2013 Went to hear Michael Bush speak and he sealed it for me. I can do this. I wasn't so sure leaving the Bee College courses. I just liked what he had to say. I go to his site for most questions.

October 5 2013 Kayla brought me a swarm she had found. I still have that lovely docile hive. She started it. I would likely still be waffling if she hadn't shown up with a hive for me.

November 9 2013 Picked up a nuc from a beekeeper in Delray. All beeks say must have more then one to compare and work and learn from. But the commercial keep wasn't arriving. So i was getting ancy.

November 11, 2013 2 boxes arrived from a commercial beekeeper. 

And that is how it started.... 4 boxes. Almost 2 years. Not without some bumps in the learning curve. I have learned i have a knack for it. I don't mind rank bees. I like (no LOVE) seeing them in the yard every morning. I commune with them daily. I know their moods. I'm respectful and mostly leave them alone. I've been stung 4 times in 2 years. Thats not 4 episodes but literally just 4 stings. Each my fault. 3 times on the fingers trying to move frames around. Once on the lip. I think we 'bumped' into each other.

I've also lost some. Split some. Swarmed some. And learned even more from these experiences. One box just up and left (absconded) and literally left the boxes clean as a whistle. That was the split i messed that up royally.  It happened while i was in the hospital for 10 days. PooF! So sad. Amazing though how the hive was cleaned.

I have put zero into the hive in terms of beetle, varroa etc. management. I do see beetles, periodically. I did have to change out the commercial keeps hive he gave me wax moth. And dealing with it. 

I've one episode I'd rather not repeat, but it involved a queen less hive. And that prompted help from beeks from above. But that experience was invaluable.

Since I was down to 2 hives friends brought me a split this past December. While not totally back on my feet from surgery what a nice little christmas surprise. 

My thoughts on the bees are with the goats, if you're in it for the long haul, what's the rush? I say this all the time to new potential goat owners. I'm not in any rush with the bees. Nor pulling honey out too soon. One wasn't established. One was weak from moths. One was doing so great had to split and so on... Each time, maybe pulling a frame or two just to play. 

Last week really was my first ever pull. So, really it was a long time coming. And Then it got rainy, cold front moved in, with 70 MPH type winds and i'm itching to go back out and see what the other two hives are doing.

I also know that I still know absolutely nothing about bees. I read and read, and the more I experience realize this is truly a life long pursuit. I can learn about how to trim a hoof, read lots on it. Trim hooves and then feel mastery in a very short time. Bees are not like that. And as slow as I go? Isn't there a saying ... ' the more i learn, the less i know'.... feels that way with bees.

Open House, Farm days

Last Month we had a farm day, Open house from 3 pm to 5 pm. It wasn't the first of its kind here and surely won't be the last. We've had open houses here before, but the difference this time was that other farmers/artisan's were invited to come and talk about their products and what they sell, and educate too. Local Farmers. Produce, honey, mead, baker of desserts. We even had a local Celebrity book writer Ron Wiggins here to sign his book.

It wasn't elaborate, or fancy, just cleaned up the goats a bit, invited a few people, put up a few tables and tents, and the rest took care of itself.

These events are important. It's important for people to see what CAN be done on a small plot of land out here. So many times I get the comment, 'you're not a farm', "your property is too small to be productive", and so on... It really annoys! Because, once you come, visit, see how it all works, buy product made right here, I think those types of comments disappear. 

There isn't anything special done. I keep some of the girls from the morning milking so that we have milking demonstrations. The paddocks are cleaned up a bit and opened for all to walk thru, meeting all the animals. the good, bad, and ugly! Though the bad are locked up. ie. tom- my ever loving, must attack small children turkey.  Can't help it as he ages, he just gets crotchety. And signs put up 'enter at your own risk'...  And then we welcome anyone interested to walk around. See the coops. Pet a goat. Watch a milking demonstration. Ask questions. Buy product.

At one point someone mentioned over 200 people showed up. I doubt. But, it was busy, crowded, and all product gone in less then 2 hours. It was a busy day. I usually have a sore throat afterwards from talking so much. But it is well worth it. It is so VERY worth it. I love it. And hopefully, we'll have another one soon.  Find me on Facebook Its where I would keep you posted on the next one. 

Honey pull test / Hive maintenance.

I've had the bees now for 8 months. Watching and learning them is a joy. I've also in this time added 3 more hives. But its my FIRST hive that came from a swarm that is doing the best. I've put 2 supers on - just yesterday decided to put super #3 on with a queen excluder between 2 and 3. Box one had some frames like this in there. As well the 2nd super. I only pulled these out and replaced them with empty frames for my queen to make more brood. Not make honey in the first two boxes. Box three with a queen excluder, means just that, she can't get up there to lay only workers can get up there...

 Only the excess honey will be pulled. 

Crushing the wax comb to get the honey isn't the most elegant way. But it works. :)

When you uncapped you also scrape the wax off the frames. (above is the plastic frame-starts the comb) and though you scrape the comb down to nothing- needs to be done this way since i don't have a spinner to force out the honey by centrifugal force. 

You then just let gravity and some pressing take over. Once that is done you filter 

thru a smaller sieve. And that is it. 

This is my original starter swarm. They are doing great. Though quite angry when taking the honey, i survived the experience. Actually wasn't that bad. I was so focused on the tasks that seeing them on my pant legs or on my arms just didn't phase me. They were back to mellow within the hour.  Here is the link of when i first blogged about them. http://jojosfarmlife.blogspot.com/2013/11/beee-utiful-bees.html

One of the frames I pulled on one side was full of honey, on the other full of honey with some brood in the middle of it. I scraped the honey and comb around the brood. Set it down to later put back in hive, and well.... too late, baby bees were being born right in the house... I tried to scoop the 20 or so up and bring them outside but it was dark and cold by then. 

I hope they survived.

1 full side frame pull of honey- not too shabby. The color is great. Consistency is spot on - thick and smooth. And the taste is very wildflowerish. though a bit sweeter then i 

prefer, i love it. Its my honey from my ladies and therefore delish!

I'm loving it.  Honey. Milk. Eggs. Cheese. 

(If only i could make wine and cigarettes I'd never have to leave the farm.)

BEEE uTiFUL BEES

In the down time with the goats (which is about now till February) What to do. what to do... I know... Keep bees..... Seemed simple enough.....Well that is how it started. 

It is fast becoming an extremely timely, fun, fascinating endeavor. And the timely part is only because i'm totally enamored with them. Every morning I grab my coffee, and go sit on the stump by the entrance to the hive. Before feeding the goats. **gasp**

2 months ago I decided after going to Bee college and a couple of other seminars, it was time to start.  Luck would have it a small swarm showed up at a friends house. They brought the swarm box, and we transferred them into a nuc box for about 3 weeks. Till the started to draw some comb. and sure they would stick around. 

Last Sunday, I took the frames from the nuc box (small white 5 frame box)  and put them in their new forever home.

Meet the ladies.

I'm starting with a deep here, but I want 8 mediums from now on.

Busy as a bee .... NO Kidding! This is only 4 weeks in their new hive and there are 3 full frames like this.

Yes that's me. A bit overkill on the suit and gloves. They're very docile bees.
Look where Thatcher is, he has learned to stay back.

Looking pretty good. Found the queen. She's purdy. They're making brood, honey, nectar.
Have already capped one full frame of honey. and there are two frames of brood.

This is the original nuc box. And the proximity to the house.

I fed them for about 4 weeks till I read up more and decided not to.

What?!? Hive is sitting in style.

Small Farms Conference and Bee College

August was a really busy FUN and EDUCATIONAL month. August 2, I went to the Small Farms Conference up in Kissimmee. Came home for a bit and then left August 16 for the S. Florida Bee College in Ft. Lauderdale.

Both of them were great for different reasons.

The Florida Small Farms Conference was all about networking, meeting face to face--people I've known online for a decade. It was high time I just went to this conference. Although not much specific to dairy goats, or dairying, it was truly worth going to a few classes. Lots of marketing your business classes. "Are you working ON or IN your business" stood out for me. This thought has resonated and something I think about daily right now. 

The vendor booths are well worth the drive up- to meet the leaders and movers of our state with regard to what is out there for the small farm. Of course, I hung out with Pete Kennedy at Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund booth - I'm like his person groupie! And spoke to many groups about Animal Welfare Approved, Florida Food Policy Council with Ken Koleos, bought a few books. And overall just really enjoyed the experience. 

The food too was well worth the trip. Trish Strawn really kicked it up a notch by making sure alot of the food was sourced locally.  Lastly, if you decide to ever go, do the Friday all day tours.  One of the best ways to get ideas for your farm. I didn't go. I've been to so many farms over the years I'm set with my setup. But well worth it when you are just starting out. 

Next up was the South Florida Bee College another awesome venue and experience. And HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this for anyone starting out with or well on their way with honeybees. I can't recommend this more highly.... There was just so much to learn. I was disappointed because I couldn't go to ALL the classes offered. There just wasnt' enough time. 

My focus centered on the beginner. I did take a few genetic and reproduction classes, but mostly wanted to learn the technical, hands on - what does it take to start -- classes. Important for anyone getting into any livestock endeavor --Parasite and disease classes.  The clincher for me was the live hive demonstration. LOVED IT! 

She passed that frame around. I had bees crawling on my sleeve. And loved it.

I'm in there !

Going to conferences used to be a chore. I realize it was because I was just over them for design and advertising, I wasn't learning anything new. Creativity and talent really can't be learned. But with farming and livestock this is something anyone with drive and determination CAN do. And getting good tips to help you start, keep you motivated, or just introduce you to someone that can mentor you.... GO  It's worth it!

Kept changing my mind on which class to take after taking the previous class. So many good subjects....

And they gave you ALL the power point presentations. This really was perfect as I just took notes in the side bars.

So.... just do it. Its important to adjust your thinking. Be open to meeting new people. Make a point of talking to the person in line in front of you. They are there for the exact same reason. They might even be there alone just like you. It forces you to get out of your comfort zone. Just remember everyone gets nervous in new situations.  I say this because I almost didn't go to either of these events. Why? Because I couldn't find anyone to go with me. But then again, that's never stopped me before. So happy it didn't this time, either.

So proud of myself for going. 

The most important thing I can impart is YES it's worth the cost. It's an investment in your future. It wasn't easy for me to go. I have a whole farm to care for. Goats to milk. Milk customers to re-arrange. And the days after are chaotic. I don't know how a 9 year old goat who has no bad habits can learn in two days a bad habit. Multiply that by 19 more animals. Bottom line even with all that it was well worth the cost and time invested.  go!

It's fun. you meet great new people. You bring home information you can utilize. And you get a really nerdy cool Certificate of Participation!

See you next year!