Meet the Bees

Why THESE Bees?

I knew that I wanted to grow crops and fruit trees and none of that is worth planting if you don't have pollinators. While there are many native pollinators, I also wanted the additional benefits of having honeybees for their wax, honey, propolis, and more.  Worldwide, apiarists have had devastating losses in colony numbers in recent years. Part of this may be due to pesticides and chemicals being used so widely, but there is also a constant threat few people outside of the beekeeping community know about-- the varroa mite. These mites attach themselves to mature bees causing the transmission of diseases. The mites also lay their eggs in the brood cells of the colony so that the immature mites can feast on the bee larvae as they grow. Varroa mites can and will cause complete destruction of a hive very quickly if the bees are not monitored and treated. There are many several methods of treating for mites, but some scientists have taken mite prevention to the next level by breeding bees that are more hygienic (meaning they clean themselves, each other, and the hive more) and they have strong resistance to mites and the diseases they spread. One such breed is called the Saskatraz bee. Originating in Saskatchewan Canada, these bees were bred to achieve an ideal blend of calm demeanor, efficient foraging skills, impressive honey production, resilience and adaptability to even harsh climates, and resistance to varroa mites.

Of course, when I read about Saskatraz bees, I instantly knew that these were the bees for me!  Beekeeping has a really steep learning curve and no matter how many books I read, websites I bookmarked, and videos/vlogs I watched on the subject, I was never going to be fully prepared... that's what they say about parenthood too, right?  As with everything on the farm, I go in with the best of intentions and as close to ideal designs as possible, but sometimes nature is just going to be nature.  I have had some colony losses, some of which I could explain, others that I could not. I keep learning and trying to improve the survival rate and quality of life for my bees. I am adding 4 new hives in the spring of 2026 and I am so eager to continue working with the bees to produce quality body products, edible items, and more.