Tangi Lifestyles August/September 2024

When it comes to the art and science of beekeeping, Angie and Tim Lacoste of Red Hill Bee Farm in Independence are two local experts. Angie's degree from Southeastern is in Zoology, and Tim is a state-registered beekeeper with a degree in Forestry from LSU. The husband-and-wife duo manage more than 100 honeybee hives in Tangipahoa Parish.

Angie and Tim began beekeeping as a hobby. But their bees produced such sweet and clear honey that friends’ and family members’ requests for more jars induced her to kick production up a notch. In 2018, the couple incorporated their business and began selling on their Facebook page and Etsy sites. They also began renting booths at local farmers’ markets and festivals.

And They Were Off!

The increased demand caused them to expand their hives and quadrupled their apiary, which is a collection of separate hives. People just loved the taste of their honey, and Tim thinks that has to do with the Tangipahoa River running right behind their property. Tim believes the diversity of flora in that area gives their honey a unique woodsy taste that’s sweet and mild. But if you want a little bit of heat in your honey, Angie has you covered there too. A bumper crop of jalapeños one year got her wheels turning, and she created a “hot honey” recipe packed with flavor to delight taste buds.

Tim To The Rescue!

While bees are vital to the planet’s ecosystem, nuisance hives can spring up in homes. “People don’t realize for quite a while that they have an active hive in their home,” said Tim. “By the time they call us, the hive is usually well established.”

Attics and underneath the eaves are popular spots for feral bees to take up residency, but they have also been known to settle in the subflooring and other tight spots. Tim goes onsite to safely rescue the bees and relocates the hive. He will then set them up in an isolation area until he is sure the hive is healthy and free of diseases. Once he determines it is a healthy hive, the bees are introduced to other apiaries on the farm.

Angie and Tim also provide pollination services to Liuzz Farm in Independence. The bees are there to provide natural pollination, enabling the Liuzzas to grow superior produce. "Without the bees doing what they are naturally driven to do, the crops would yeald less," said Tim.

Here they Grow!

Although honey is a sweet bonus to running a bee farm another of the by-products of bees is beeswax. Each year in mid summer, the couple begins to collect the beeswax into 40 lb. blocks which they will use throughout the year to craft lip balms, artisanal beeswax

Bee Farm products can be found at the Channell Group Pharmacy stores, and on the shelves of 25 retail shops in our parish, St. Tammany Parish, and in Metairie. Honey sells well during both the spring and fall allergy seasons because of the belief that it can relieve allergy symptoms.

Sweet Future!

Angie is also excited about partnering with local businesses to make one-of-a-kind gift items for special events such as weddings. Her passion is evident when she shared, “We even created a special lion mold to add unique “Roomie” lotion bars to gift baskets given to special guests of Southeastern.”

Although the farm is a business, it is also used to educate the public. Angie enjoys sharing her knowledge with local children at area libraries. The Lacostes take a glassencased working hive for demonstrations and teach children and adults about the important role of bees.

What started out as a hobby has developed into a self-sustaining business that helps the local community to thrive. The Lacostes and Red Hill Bee Farm are headed for a sweet future.

If you want to connect with Angie and Tim,you can find them on Etsy, follow them on Faceboook or call them at (985) 247-5146. You may also, of course, choose the sweetest option and visit the farm in Independence by appointment.