White House honey
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The White House is buzzing with activity, and it isn't all in the West Wing.
Dale Haney, the White House horticulturist and grounds superintendent, told NBC's "Today" show Monday that at least 100 gallons of honey have been collected from the bee hive that was built as a companion to Michelle Obama's vegetable garden.
Mrs. Obama was able to present pretty jars of the honey to the spouses at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh earlier this fall, and a guest chef used some to prepare food for a recent Latin celebration.
Those who follow gardening news know that a mysterious something is wiping out bee colonies and the pollination of the fruits and vegetables we eat in this country is in trouble.
It is often the case that fruit tree orchards and other farmers "rent" bees during the spring in order to facilitate pollination and, because of the bee shortage, those rental fees have skyrocketed and there is great competition for the portable bees.
Does anybody else see a deficit reduction tool here?
Categories: White House Vegetable Garden
Comments
Great piece! Good to see the White House doing their bit to help stem the decline in bee populations (in this case the honey bee). On an individual level, planting flowers (preferably natives) that attract and nourish bees is something every gardener can easily do to help the bees.
Regards.
The Honeybee Conservancy
www.TheHoneybeeConservancy.org
Posted by: The Honeybee Conservancy | October 21, 2009 10:08 AM
100 gallons from one hive? Must be a BIG hive. Or is that a misunderstanding and it should be 100 jars?
Maybe. But watch the video and you'll see that's what he says!--Susan
Posted by: Merlin | October 21, 2009 10:54 AM
Certainly Mr Haney misunderstands. 100 gallons would be about 1200 pounds. A more likely figure would be 100 pounds, still well above the national average if true.
Posted by: Niwot Honey Farm Niwot, Colorado | October 26, 2009 6:14 PM