Blackberry Farm

Like other elements of the farm, the beekeeper plays an integral role and provides a tremendous product that is savored by guests. The bee hives occupy a few places on property. Both places afford the bees with ample sources of pollen to produce their sweet nectar for the beekeeper to extract during the year. The source of nectar for harvest comes from a combination of Tulip Popular, wild flowers and Sourwood. These varieties give our honey delicate flavors with light amber hues. Sourwood trees are mostly found in wooded areas and bloom at the end of June through August. Sourwood honey is considered to be the best tasting honey and is known for its sweet, spicy, anise aroma and pleasant aftertaste. With hives located near the garden, the bees will busily be working in the Spring to produce honey that is a mix of wild flower and tulip poplar, all the while helping to propagate the plants growing in the garden.

Jeff was first introduced to beekeeping as an opportunity to grow within Blackberry, Jeff was skeptical in the beginning, but he quickly grew to love the intricate details of the honey bee. From the making of honey to the dance it does to navigate other bees to a food source, it all is an amazing part of nature. Jeff’s vision for the bee program is for us to become self- sustaining and not dependent on other local bee keepers to supply our kitchen with honey, and to expand our program into making beeswax by- products. Jeff says he feels truly blessed to say that he is a beekeeper.