Honey made from local honeybees is not only delicious, but the process for making that honey is highly important for pollination, and in turn food production.
Tri-County Beekeepers is a beekeeping association working in Freestone, and surrounding, county region.
The association is more than just a group of beekeepers though; they are people who are interested in helping others with their bee needs and educating the community about bees.
They will even come collect bees that are found living in the wild, well wild for a bee at least, transport them, and are exceptional at helping with the not so easy removals.
In fact, Wolfgang Kraus (top left), former Vice-President of Tri-County Beekeepers, made his very own bee vacuum when he saw the need for one for use on water meters, as bees tend to make their hives in them.
He just takes the meter lid off, flips it over and vacuums the bees up. After that, he can remove the comb and rubber band it to a frame.
Finally, after going to the new hive, Kraus can put the comb into a new box, and the bees will come out of the vacuum and right to their new home.
In an effort to expand and share their knowledge, the group applied for a grant through the Texas Beekeepers Association.
They selected Mattie Hagen (top right), a Fairfield High School student, as the recipient and are teaching her how to keep her own bees.
Mattie shows pride in her work and when asked about her interest in bees explains, “It was instilled in me at a young age that they are important.”
She has proven that belief by first doing a bee related speech in FFA, and subsequently working with Kraus with her own beehive.
The grant provided the monies necessary to buy Mattie beekeeping gear; a veil, smoker, pry tool and a complete hive body.
Kraus explains that he started Mattie working on his beehives, but that a neighbor had a dead tree limb that fell, complete with beehive.
Kraus stated, “I knew she would be comfortable working with the bees.” Therefore, he gathered the bees and set Mattie up with her very own beehive.
Tri-County Beekeepers hope that more high school aged children and youth become involved in beekeeping.
If anyone, of any age, is interested in beekeeping, reach out to the Association via their Facebook facebook.com/groups/548247835542883 or on their website at tricobee.com
Plus, if you have bees you need removed, also reach out to Tri-County Beekeepers. Just click ‘removals’ on the top right of their home page for contact information.
Bees are fascinating insects, because they make honey that is delicious, and also because the steps the bees take making honey, benefit the world around us.
(Photos by Victoria Keng)
