It's hard to believe that we're moving into our third year of beekeeping. This complicated, rewarding, vexing venture is another challenge for us. We feel it's important to do our part to help the declining bee populations by providing chemical-free forage. (I wish my neighbors would do the same....). In turn, we benefit from the pollination and the added bonus of delicious honey. Thankfully, with the help of the Lewis County Beekeeping Association folks, we have mentors around us to offer guidance when we have questions. Eventhough, as the saying goes- put 3 beekeepers in a room and ask them a question- you get 5 answers. So, it's another bit of a gamble.....woodenware, bees, supplies, t
There's nothing like the sweet smell of hay. Coming from the eastern side of the state, I was very accustomed to the lovely smell of alfalfa hay my family put up each year. I was also accustomed to the early mornings on the tractor and fixing a meal for 15 folks that ate like 30. I knew enough about haying that I was definitely not going to make that a part of my future. Well, never way "never"...... When we purchased the farm, roughly 18 acres of it was already in grass hay. I thought this would be a piece of cake. After all, you didn't have to make as much of a fuss with moisture control and making sure that the leaves don't fall off. Timing is everything when working with alfalfa.
