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My name is Sara Gradwohl and among other things, I am a beekeeper.
You can also call me an "apiculturalist" if you prefer to sound snooty.
I have always enjoyed honey and toyed with
the idea of getting bees several times in my life. It wasn't until my husband and I moved to Mooresville, Indiana in 2002
that the dream became a reality.
I became a beekeeper in 2003 after completing a class on beekeeping basics. During
the class I learned how to build all the parts of my own hives and about the care and feeding of bees.
In May 2003
I installed two hives on our five acre property. In 2004 I had a bountiful honey crop of more than 70 pounds of beautiful
honey from the two hives. I continue to receive compliments from people who've tasted Flying Bee Honey and they claim it's
the best they've ever had...those are *their* words, not mine!
During the Winter of 2004-05 I kept my eyes on the
hives to make sure the girls were making it through OK. On days where the temperature was over 45F, I saw them out taking
their 'cleansing' flights, and getting ready for Spring.
This Spring I found I had a problem in not one but both my hives. I was queenless in one hive and had a drone-laying queen
in the other. This means the queen is failing and is only laying non-working drone eggs. Without my swift action both hives
would die.
I ordered two new Indiana-raised queens (no more Russians and Italians) and installed them the week of May 30th. So far all
signs are good.
Bees are amazing little creatures and I enjoy spending time out either inspecting the hives or sitting on the grass
near them watching their comings and goings. It will be interesting to compare the new bees with my former Russian and Italian
characteristics. Each hive has different qualities such as hardiness, temperament, and honey production. As far was the
"old girls" went, I couldn't tell much difference except the Russians were a little more aggressive and the Italians talked
a lot with their wings!
If you'd like a bottle of honey, let me know. I still have a small amount of last year's honey
available and I will ship it to you. So far it's too early to tell if I'll have a crop this year with my queen issues. I'll
post the results here!
This isn't the only activity that keeps me busy. When I'm at home and not off traveling the world with my husband, I
make bee-inspired jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc.) and glycerin soaps in many shapes, colors and scents. I
also knit when I have some some free time, usually on airplanes. All this on top of being a voracious reader. I've only
skimmed the surface of my hobbies, but I think you get the picture.
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