Honey do

by Brian J. Lowney Do!Honey

Local beekeeper Mark Martin can’t recall a time in his life when he wasn’t fascinated by nature and bees that are members of the Apidae family, flying insects that collect nectar and pollen.

Local beekeeper Mark Martin can’t recall a time in his life when he wasn’t fascinated by nature and bees that are members of the Apidae family, flying insects that collect nectar and pollen.

The well-read apiologist explains that there are many different types of bees, possibly 20,000 species, and there are many differences between them. Some make honey and some don't. Some can sting, while others can’t.

Martin, who works by day as a carpenter, fondly recalls the many happy days of his bucolic youth.

“My fishing pole and I would take off for the day and we’d out for the day,” he recalls. “I’d hunt and fish and forage for mushrooms and plants, just like I do today.”

According to Martin, bees and beekeeping “are a natural extension” of his longtime interest in nature.

“You know where the nectar comes from and what goes into it,” the beekeeper emphasizes.

Three years ago, Martin and his partner, Lori Torres of Somerset, enrolled in a beekeeping class offered by the Bristol County Beekeepers Association at Bristol Community College in Fall River. The avid outdoorsman had met a beekeeper at a local tractor supply store where he learned about the course and wanted to learn more.

Torres shares that the nominal course fee covered 10 weeks of instruction, a book, materials, and membership to the organization for one year. Once the course began, the couple’s exuberance couldn’t be contained and their business, Lorimar Apiaries, was soon born.

“We are just coming out of winter – we’ve lost about 60 percent of our bees,” Martin adds, noting that the couple has 11 hives in Somerset, Swansea, Seekonk, and Assonet.

“The remaining bees are going to forage skunk cabbage and collect pollen,” he continues. “Bees travel up to two miles and sometimes farther and have a way of communicating with other bees to tell each other where the source of food can be found.”

Martin says that bees bring the nectar back to the hive, fill the cell and fan it with their wings to thicken it, and then cap the honey with wax that they have made and processed.

Martin notes that it takes 12 bees a lifetime – about 41 days – to produce one teaspoon of honey.

“Honey is still good if it’s capped,” Torres says. “It’s antifungal, anti-bacterial, and full of vital nutrients.”

The couple visit the hives once per week, feed them sugar water, and check for mites, mice, ants, wasps, and any debris.

“If the bees are healthy they can care for themselves,” Martin says.

The bee’s knees

While the couple hopes to expand their business, they currently sell the honey to family and friends. Torres makes chapsticks from the wax and other natural products and would like to continue that small production.

“We also make honey butter,” Martin says. “Honey has so many properties that can benefit your health. Once you learn about bees, you get excited about it and you can’t stop learning.”

Tiverton resident Susan Medyn says she became interested in beekeeping eight years ago after accepting a self-challenge to try a new pursuit.

“You are a steward for the bee’s survival and in essence are their own personal physician, monitoring for and addressing the queen’s problems, varroa mites, viruses, and other diseases within the hive,” she says.

Medyn now cares for 20 hives, many of which are housed on a friend’s farm property.

Like Martin and Torres, Medyn enrolled in the course offered by the beekeepers association and her interest continues to prosper. Her husband, David Formanck, enjoys his role as Chief Apiary Assistant and learning more about this fascinating hobby.

Medyn describes her beekeeping activities as “engrossing and almost an obsession.” She adds, “I’m in a Zen place when I’m with the bees.”

Her interest in beekeeping has led her to study to become a Master Beekeeper at Cornell University, where she plans to help others to successfully learn about the many facets of caring for honey bees and helping others to understand the importance of honey bees and pollinators.

Medyn sells her delicious honey at Coastal Roaster’s in Tiverton, at the Tiverton Farmers Market, and at other small stores in the area.

For more information about honeybees, contact the Bristol County Beekeepers Association at: president@bristolbee.com.