The fateful hives
The Farm Name Story
Spoiler Alert – Everyone is fully clothed on our farm and website.
Going Native
Our love for beekeeping began in the NC foothills at a little place called Buck Mountain.
Early in my beekeeping career we moved a few hives to the mountains for the coveted NC sourwood bloom. It was a great success and helped our bees through their first winter.
One of the first evenings after the bees arrived, it started raining. Being the doting new beekeeper I was, I decided to check on the bees and do one teensy last thing in the bee yard. Most of the time honey bees are very docile, but they do object to a few things – namely night time invasion (especially with a headlamp) and rain inside the hive. I broke 2.5 of the cardinal rules.
Ignorantly, I opened the biggest hive. I met an instant laser-speed strike. (The term beeline originated for a reason). There were bees in my hair, on my neck, in my shirt … cue the running and flailing.
I ran, as fast as you can up a 30 degree incline, swatting and shedding clothes. (Swatting is another cardinal rule. For those keeping count, I’m over 3 infractions now.)
My husband watched me from the porch, bewildered but chuckling as I, now partially clothed, tried to outrun the bees and avoid bringing them into the house. (Bees can fly up to 18mph. I can’t run that pace, even with motivation.) The kids, including a visiting friend, stood horrified watching the melee.
As the laughter died down, Paul managed to choke out “Babe, this is Buck Mountain. Not Buck NAKED Mountain!”
As we expanded this hobby into a family business, the name stuck. And it makes a lot of sense. We grow organically, use few ingredients, no artificial stuff. We strive to preserve nature’s creations in a pure form.
I learned those early lessons the hard way. The swelling subsided but the message stuck. Suit up and follow bee rules!
Honey bees are very tolerant of beekeepers, but they are also good teachers. Break their rules and they will sear your errors into memory forever.
So feel free to cover up in the bee yard. We do (usually).
