Not Sugar, Honey

Two separate items - not related but yet they are.  Free Beekeeping workshop tomorrow in Perry from 8:30 to 12:00.  (Thanks, Amy). 

If you are not already keeping bees, there are many reasons you should consider it.  The perils of buying honey were pointed out in an earlier post.  Our gardens need pollination and pollinators are under seige from pesticides, GMO plants, changing environment, and other factors, some undetermined.  Bottom line--we need more pollinators.  So you can do your part.

Most white sugar sold in stores and used in multitudes of processed foods comes from sugar beets, raised mostly in Northwestern states.  Virtually all sugar beet sugar comes from GMO plants.  See report from 2008 on the Organic and Non-GMO Report.  We need to use alternate forms of sweeteners, and local unprocessed honey is not only a sweetener but has medicinal qualities as well.  So keeping your own beehive(s) is a great place to get that kind of honey.  Attending tomorrow's workshop and Apalachee Beekeepers Association meetings is a great place to start. 

And on August 17, 2013, you can celebrate National Honey Bee Day at Native Nurseries with a free workshop at 10:00 a.m. on what's involved in starting a hive, honey tasting, recipes, and much more.  Beekeepers will be on hand until 2:00 p.m. to answer questions and give pointers.