F O O D & B E V E R AG E
Beekeeping is not for the faint of heart. Despite working in our tempermental coastal environment, local beekeepers still find success
photos by ryan moser story by hannah lee leidy
in their pursuit of liquid gold.
B
ees – a keystone species – build and maintain the vegetation in our natural environments. Without their pollination, around one-third of plant life – including fruits, vegetables and flowers – would go extinct. But as astounding as that is, bees are also revered for a much simpler reason: their honey. That rich, sweet elixir has fascinated humans for thousands of years. Prehistoric cave paintings even show that humans foraged for honey at least 8,000 years ago – if not longer. For centuries it’s been utilized as everything from a sweetener to a topical ointment loaded with antimicrobial properties, and the ancient Egyptians famously used it for embalming purposes and to pay taxes. With such a rich history, it’s perhaps unsurprising that beekeeping has evolved over the centuries and across continents as people have sated their taste for honey. Today, beekeeping primarily occurs in inland locations, where rich soil supports diverse and plentiful plant life. But a small, yet enthusiastic, number of people also cultivate and tend to bees right here on the Outer Banks. “We’re not considered a big agricultural center on the Outer Banks,” says Hatteras Island resident Don Babin. “But, for a lot of reasons, our floral vegetation still relies on bees.” Among the Outer Banks beekeeping community, Don’s considered a sort of godfather. He’s been in the game for 60 years, and people often come to him when they have trouble with their hives. His beekeeping career began in New Hampshire, where he studied entomology in college, apprenticed with beekeepers, and at one point ran a part-time business
Honeybees toil away at one of Don Babin’s hives here on the Outer Banks. 62 | SU M M ER 2021
