We are still surprised, after 11 years, that people refer to us as beekeepers.
Life took us down this path and look where we ended up! We’ve done many things over the years and most would describe us as that do-it-yourself kind of family. The beekeeping adventure began simply as a family project to eat a little healthier and have something for our 2 young sons (ages 8 and 10 at the time) to do during the summer. There was no way this mama was going to let them sit in front of a screen and call that good!
Kevin brought home 100 hives on a warm June evening in 2011. We’d hardly looked in a hive and had a very limited idea of what to do next… The learning curve was steep and out of necessity, immediate! We made every mistake in the book and added a few that no one else has ever made but we learned, and read, and researched, attended field days, and made more phone calls then we could count. And we did it. The first year came and went and miraculously, the bees survived in spite of us.
This family has bonded out in the apiaries and across the extraction floor machines. We’ve worked side by side out in the blistering heat and somewhere along the line we’ve learned how to care for our bees and harvest magnificent honey and we’ve done it as a family. The boys have gained an appreciation about where their food comes from and they know how to work. They understand what needs to be done at the apiaries and how to run the extraction equipment and currently, they are tall and strong and are an invaluable part of Prairie Field Honey. We do every step of the process ourselves and work tirelessly to ensure good stewardship of our bees and we aim to produce the highest quality of honey we can.
Quality and consistency matters to us and we think it might matter to you too.
Beekeeper #1: Kevin
Kevin is the main man, the boss and brains behind the whole operation. He treats the bees with respect and kindness and they generally reciprocate. He’s conscientious and thorough, he’s fastidious to a fault but we’d be hard pressed to carry on without him. This beekeeper loves wandering through the apiaries to simply get a feel for how the bees are keeping. We occasionally need to remind him to stop for lunch or keep drinking (water mostly) when it’s +35° C outside. He’s easily satisfied with a good meal or one of Connie’s cinnamon buns. Any ice cream also makes him very very happy. After holding a family vote we decided to keep him for another year!
Beekeeper #2: Michael
Michael began his illustrious career as a beekeeper at the tender age of 10. He’s been with us ever since. He is a pleasure to have out in the field or in the shop. He never complains, he simply puts his head down and does what needs doing. Michael is as strong as an ox, which, when schlepping 80 pound supers around, is just the kind of guy you’re looking for. This young man is as dependable as he is strong. He’s an accomplished piano player and blows a mean trumpet and we’ve suggested he serenade the bees with his musical ability but thus far he has declined the offer. What is packed for lunch is generally important to him and keeping accurate hourly timesheets is essential to his wellbeing! A keeper…
Beekeeper #3: MATTHEW
And then there is Matthew. Frequently, words fail us! Let’s just say, he’s a piece of work. He has informed us 1287 times since we began beekeeping 9 years ago that he does not plan on a beekeeping career after emancipation. He’s grateful that in Saskatchewan there is mandatory school attendance from the beginning of September until the end of June if you are registered with the public school system. In his defence, he was really too small to do what needed doing out in the field when he was 8 years old, however, at 17, he is strong and knowledgeable about all things bee related. His attitude improves if ice cream treats are delivered out to the field mid afternoon! He’d prefer to spend his time on the soccer pitch, riding his motorbike, or hanging with friends. At times it was a narrow vote as to whether he stayed on the payroll or not but truthfully, we had no one to replace him so, to date, he stays.
Beekeeper #4: Brenda
Brenda is the Queen Bee. She is the general organizer of all things bee related, which means, she’s in charge of the office, ensures everyone is fed and watered, mans the Farmers Market table (and all the other tables), is the creative mind behind all things Prairie Field Honey, makes sure the EpiPen is always packed, and generally tries to cheer on the crew. Please don’t forget that on most good days she is out there hive for hive with the best of them. No, she can’t carry an 80 pound super but she wields the smoker like nobody’s business and she’d like to think that beekeepers #1, 2, and 3 would have a hard time getting on without her but occasionally there is doubt in her mind! Brenda is the heart of the operation.
