How to Support Local Beekeepers -

Treasuring Local Beekeepers

Local Beekeepers are truly something to be treasured. Just like the bees, beekeepers spend their time trying to make the world around them healthy and beautiful. It’s no secret that the bee population had a steep decline because of colony collapse disorder. The causes are complex, including but not limited to the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, habitat loss, and stressful migratory-beekeeping practices. Concerned citizens and local beekeepers have rallied together to remove some of these issues prohibiting healthy bee populations.

A few years ago, my aunt and her husband also joined the beekeeping club and started the Cimarron River Homestead, this along with a general interest in learning more about bees, inspired me to find more ways to support the bee populations. Since then, I’ve started working with a beekeeper in Sand Springs, Okla. Bees have always had a special place in my heart, but after this experience, I’ve learned to not only appreciate the bees, but also the beekeeper. That experience is my inspiration behind this post, as I list the many ways we can and should support local beekeepers.

Importance of Bees

Humans and bees have a symbiotic relationship. We depend on them for all kinds of things such as honey, and their pollinating abilities. One out of three bites of food is available because of bees pollinating the plants and crops.

Most of our favorite fruits and vegetables such as oranges, blueberries, cherries, cantaloupes, cucumbers and broccoli are pollinated by bees. There are many ways to help bees even in your own yard, but supporting local beekeepers, the foremost bee advocates, is also important.

Bee Products

Although, I knew about honey’s ability to reduce allergy symptoms, but that’s barely scratching the surface of the many benefits of bee products. Not all local beekeepers are the same. Some just provide honey, but there are several bee products including bee pollen, propalis, beeswax, royal jelly, bee bread and nectar.

Organic Beekeepers

Most commercially available honey, isn’t really honey at all, instead it’s corn syrup with some flavoring added. The only way to get the most benefits from bee products, is to find a true, legitimate source for these products. Local beekeepers are the best way to do that. You can tour the grounds, check out the hives, they might even lend you a bee suit, so you can get up and personal with the bees.

To keep these beneficial products available and to help our friend bees, it’s imperative that we keep supporting our local bee friends. These gifts for beekeepers are a great way to show your support.

Gifts for Beekeepers

Time

Probably one of the best ways you can support beekeepers is to donate your time. There are many things to do at an apiary and sometimes a little help can go a long way. Stopping by to visit your local beekeepers is a great way to show support and appreciation. They often love to answer questions and teach others, so if you have questions feel free to ask!

Help Promote Bee Products

Another way to support your local beekeepers is to help promote their bee products. Whether sharing with your friends, or interacting with their business Facebook posts, helping promote their local products is a great way to get the word out about their business.

Beekeeping Tools

Tools wear out and need replacing from time to time. Beekeeping isn’t the most lucrative vocation, so tools are a great area to help out with.

Double Sieve Honey Strainer

Honey strainers help remove any waxy or chunky materials from the honey. This strainer is durable, resistant to rust and oxidation and easy to clean.

Glass Jars

Glass jars go pretty quick at a honey bee farm. There are many variety of glass jars, so try to ask your local beekeeper, which brand and type they favor.

Honey Extractor

Honey extractors are standard beekeeping equipment because they help remove honey from the combs. This piece of equipment they can be pricey. This honey extractor is enough to make any beekeeper do the bee dance.

Frame Perch

Frame perches help beekeepers inspect or set aside a frame easier. It’s a great gift to help make their job just a little easier.

Bee Accessories

These accessories are essential for any serious beekeeper. Here are some of my favorite bee-themed accessories.

Wax Stamps

This traditional bee stamp is perfect for adding finishing touches on everything from beeswax molds to envelopes.

Bee Calendar

Perfect for any bee fanatic, this calendar features a beautiful bee picture and fun bee fact each month. It also includes all major holidays and a planting guide for the best plants for pollinators and when those flowers are in bloom.

Beginning Beekeeper gifts

Beekeeping for Dummies

The biggest hurdle for new beekeepers is learning about bees. There’s so much to know! This book is a favorite among my beekeeping students. It breaks things down into easy to understand sections.

Starter Kit

You can find various starter kits online for a reasonable price. I’ve linked to an example that includes a bee suite, gloves, a beehive, Stainless steel American-style smoker, Beekeeping brush, Stainless steel J-Hook hive tool, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beekeeping book and 16oz of 100% pure Tung Oil

Experienced beekeeper gifts

If you’re local beekeeper is more experienced, you might consider purchasing a queen rearing kit. Occasionally, beekeepers will need to raise queen honey bees in order to replace ageing queens or populate additional colonies. These kits and books can help with that.

Bee Pollen Trap

One of the essential products in beekeeping is bee pollen. Worker honeybees pack pollen into pellets and carry it with them after foraging. These pollen pellets or balls are harvested as food and supplements for humans. Bee pollen is highly nutritious as it contains almost all the nutrients needed by the human body. There are also claims of therapeutic benefits through the consumption of bee pollen. Check out the 10 best pollen traps for beekeeping.

Propolis Traps

Propolis is another essential beekeeping tool. Beekeepers can replace their inner cover with this plastic propolis trap. The bees will fill the grooves of the trap with propolis.

Bee Reading

A Beekeeping Magazine Subscription

This magazine covers all aspects of beekeeping information for both hobbyist and professional. Practical, scientific and industry news of honey handling, colony management and the latest in scientific research. It’s a perfect gift for any experience level.

If you’re favorite beekeeper is ready to take their business to the next level, this book is full of tutorials for making value-added products with beeswax.

Bee Signs

Signs are always a great way to signal what you’re all about. These beekeeper friendly signs are perfect novelty gifts that any beekeeper will love.

Beekeeper Parking sign

Homemade Signs

Homemade gifts are always the best. I made a woodburned sign “Bee Friendly, Don’t Spray” sign for my uncles new apiary this past year.

Seeds

Seeds for bee friendly crops or plants, such as clover, lavender, herbs and wildflowers are all great gift ideas that not only help the bees, but also the beekeeper!

Bee- Themed Gifts and Merch

No beekeeper is complete without bee merch.

Don’t forget to pin for later!

Create More, Consume Less

How to Support Local Beekeepers