|
I raise food in the city as a positive response to the complex and interrelated challenges of living in the 21st century. Climate change, peak oil, the dense urban environment and economic uncertainty make my head spin- what can I do? I want to make sure that my community and my family more than survives- beekeeping is one of the many strategies that allows us to strive. Beekeeping allows me to connect and contribute to my community in many ways. On a personal level, beekeeping is a meditative practice- as I approach the hive; I slow down, take deep breaths and centre myself. My first task is observation- using all my senses, I check in with the bees and the hive- are the bees busy and content? Did a skunk come by for a treat last night? What is happening today with the hive? Keeping bees, keeps me connected to the natural world around me; as I travel through the city I am aware of trees budding and flowering, when the dandelions are at their peak, if the weather is unusually cold or hot, When I see an especially fragrant bush- I stop for a moment and look for the bees and wonder: are these from my hive? The honey we harvest will go on my family’s toast, we will use the beeswax to make candles and salves and the propolis will be transformed into tinctures to cure cuts and ailments. The bees will pollinate our fruits and vegetables, the whole neighbourhood will benefit from more plentiful crops and a lusher landscape. Keeping the neighbourhood healthy for the honeybees will also help native bees in the area. As an urban beekeeper at a time when honeybees are struggling- I have an important contribution to make, since I only keep a few hives- I can take extra time and care in their upkeep. I can try funky new pest control protocols and see how the bees like making their own foundation. I take lots of detailed notes and review them periodically to distill new insights and share them with others. Beekeeping allows me to make an important contribution to my community with many positive benefits, and the best thing about it is that it’s fun. This summer- I am sharing the gifts of beekeeping- I hope that you will join me- whether it is by starting your own colony, by taking in a workshop, or by participating in a community celebration about bees.
Get in touch. |
