https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/farmupdates daily 0.75 2025-10-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b5a8a65c-82e7-446b-a241-0eae6a288f72/20210524_165654.jpg Farm updates These are the calmest little girls in our split we made from our overwintered bees, they all just lined up to watch us as the roof came off their house https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/efe55413-da8f-4222-b04a-e2a9ec26c545/20210526_093459.jpg Farm updates Nutrient dense delicious romaine, can't get enough of the crisp fresh salads https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/42592241-ac7b-4bc4-a172-cfdcd507b6ac/IMG_1493.JPG Farm updates Jerry cutting the hole in the roof saddle to access and remove the honeybees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bfcfd2e8-4894-45ba-97e3-73e5ab522f6c/overwintered%5B1%5D.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/505133b3-b6bf-40e0-97b5-296fd2178481/20220603_111856.jpg Farm updates Self serve fridge is by the pole barn for now https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/19a23ad1-7bc9-47c1-b4a2-06e93f94f101/q2.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/fafe717e-ad35-4897-8e4c-37cc5e05794d/1.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/e3d6ac7a-c936-4a6d-afb9-df20b8c6d023/1.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/e6ef719d-6b7e-419f-a786-4ed90f174015/20230412_095435.jpg Farm updates The honeybees are doing well https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/ee6a2896-9660-4896-9a84-e1941d0397c7/Screenshot_20240303_193341_Gallery.jpg Farm updates Sophia releasing ladybugs in the high tunnel. Native ladybugs seek out and devour plant eating bugs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6312535e-a648-4640-8752-2c3093128767/20230428_095816.jpg Farm updates We have lots and lots of lettuce always fresh picked and available at the farm self serve https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b5944458-8603-4d1a-b9d5-215ec955c2d9/476033643_1114793943775989_6940867559481472101_n.jpg Farm updates All You need is a half gallon of whole milk, a 1/4 cup of raw sugar and a generous tablespoon of plain yogurt with live and active cultures https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709526471-9FCJN4CUTCLXQVHHTLGL/494760856_1182770506978332_450662373844021242_n.jpg Farm updates The self serve is stocked with our wonderful fresh nutririous greens varieties https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/3b357079-65a3-45ca-a410-2ab4236702bc/20210524_165822.jpg Farm updates There is a beautiful queen on this frame. She's from genetics that's survived for the past 2 winters in our apiary. She's in the center towards the right of the frame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/13dd034d-1b52-4c9c-8117-713d2fbe4732/20210526_093539.jpg Farm updates All of the different Romaine varieties are so dense and delicious. Snow peas are loaded with blossoms and waist high. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/83cd027c-ab7d-426f-9f8b-d7ba3ced574a/20210916_100333.jpg Farm updates The cut out, showing comb the bees have built https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/4de270b6-7069-48ce-b75e-286403e4b488/garlic%5B1%5D.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c28bce49-5b29-4580-8fbd-649c3dbca259/20220603_111523.jpg Farm updates Lots of romaine mix and more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f9062077-773b-4bdc-8a51-177edfe1003a/q1.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6b2e9884-e3c1-4f9f-a062-2e086a37f65d/2.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0c1c3568-4c87-44c0-825c-793f2f954732/2.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/3f987312-7647-46fd-8b39-17707918c2b2/1.jpg Farm updates The girls are bringing in lots of nectar and pollen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f18141bf-6f13-401d-ac89-73494a7f2870/20240303_121015.jpg Farm updates Spiders are welcome in the high tunnel. They also seek out and eat the bad bugs. This one is on a volunteer Lupine we let grow and spread the seeds. Lupines are the host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b83cee20-6d6f-4841-9437-bbed4297b034/IMG_3107.jpg Farm updates Our overwintered hives were full and overflowing with bees, definitely time to do splits before they swarm and split themselves https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/56a50386-0e64-4830-bd98-e209926d4a7e/475809594_1114794007109316_7285890019466820308_n.jpg Farm updates You need 12 to 18 clean glass jars, we use old yogurt glass jars and half pint canning jars https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709523914-ZSJ1Z29W2NWRGHWIL5D5/494662847_1177419384180111_7498804345343630315_n.jpg Farm updates The first morel I picked in the flower bed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/3599be1e-35df-49dd-84e2-9c6013bbc22a/20210524_162826.jpg Farm updates We picked up three nucs today on the other side of the state and brought them to their new home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f613c9e2-36fc-42ea-8817-d365a76ddb19/20210526_093903.jpg Farm updates The giant garlic is waist high, Scapes (green garlic) coming soon the bulbs should be enormous this fall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/4b974106-858a-4d82-925e-1f23747d96a2/20210916_101822.jpg Farm updates lots of honeybees and comb in the roof https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/244c1daf-c555-4d02-b70a-4a1ba47710e2/tomatoes%5B1%5D.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/3b07197e-15c6-4167-8337-6631ca77318b/20220603_111556.jpg Farm updates Some Beefsteak tomato plants for sale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c0cca327-365a-46a1-bbab-befe3a185c09/4.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/e09da89b-528d-43fc-903f-822644d41fcf/3.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f103b04b-830c-4101-a01e-21580e0ecba3/20230411_135333.jpg Farm updates The various plant pollens come in so many shapes , sizes and textures https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5ce3465b-b4c5-4625-845b-c904cd63eb97/20240303_121108.jpg Farm updates The snow peas have sprouted https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c2370656-f86f-4437-a7d3-ba203fdd225e/IMG_3108.jpg Farm updates There's a sealed queen swarm cell on the bottom of this frame. They were definitely preparing to swarm and split themselves https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/8401e8e5-8fa8-4a74-b692-6240b3c9be97/475967338_1114794073775976_8163171123159246861_n.jpg Farm updates Heat the half gallon of milk double boiler style(to avoid scorching the bottom) to 190ºF for 10 minutes. This will kill any bacteria or microbes that may interfere with the yogurt microbes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709524794-CSKF2KG03MKOVXBLXVCG/494679931_1184263773495672_2981023277110971165_n.jpg Farm updates NO MOW MAY for the pollinators and add some nutritious greens to your salads https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/7b2a0f21-bb47-471b-8d55-f7dc77bb648d/20210524_164301.jpg Farm updates Here's one of the nice fat queens in a nuc we added today. She's a little harder to spot. Right in the center on the bottom half of the pic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/102e0c69-f3d8-45c1-9e02-c9d8e647051d/20210526_093410.jpg Farm updates Sneak preview at strawberries ripening, we're filling the pre-orders list from months ago before any go to market https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/aa5a8776-2af1-4f3d-97d3-8809342b2949/20210916_101805.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5b5ac51e-7899-413c-bdbe-e39ffab7713a/20220210_133530.jpg Farm updates The porch before pic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bdac5477-aa63-4de1-96e2-8b13f44ba3cc/3.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/642c4fe7-e85c-4831-9ccd-84301b0cd8fc/20230102_104817.jpg Farm updates Brussel sprouts in the outdoor garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/98870b10-e01e-4650-b946-f1f36a4d8fb7/4.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/64d6dd7e-fecf-406b-a885-ffef098aaa1c/20230712_161122.jpg Farm updates cukes galore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f431697d-cdd9-40c3-8258-7e0e56db2888/IMG_1950.jpg Farm updates Beautiful shades of pollen. See the girl with pollen on her back legs. She collects it like this, it's removed and stored in cells as beebread to feed young larva https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6fa937b0-68a1-48f3-b9db-266857c11ad2/475817379_1114794083775975_6401491222148366440_n.jpg Farm updates Let the milk cool to 110⁰F or so https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709530021-H01HLHGIX35HF9TMXKKT/495570063_1182992560289460_6770481280997901201_n.jpg Farm updates Our spring mix https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1ab1ccb5-4e6b-40f5-8aa1-c09e9db9408a/20210524_163246.jpg Farm updates And an easier queen spotting pic from another nuc we added. They sure are beautiful and calm bees! Great additions to our apiary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f65e16a5-5422-4949-8a35-20a2bdb21064/20210526_093018.jpg Farm updates One of my favorite flower scents is the old fashioned lilac https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5ecce0de-fd40-4d6f-ba0a-431e3c4c3b52/IMG_1497.JPG Farm updates pieces of comb and bees were removed carefully, placed in boxes to relocate to a hive box https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/66859d62-9236-4e38-9b6d-e07c3ba991a7/20220429_185558.jpg Farm updates nice things happening https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/e2696630-2f21-477d-a51e-0cee83f5e93b/5.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/dc53620a-0e20-40cb-8f6b-c39359776283/20230102_104831.jpg Farm updates I picked down in the fall and this is what I found today. They grew through December. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bf21e83a-f16d-437a-9a8b-49c7302d8b44/5.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/2a657546-2985-417f-8706-3c10ed078c25/20230712_161236.jpg Farm updates The cherry tomatoes are so sweet and the plants are loaded https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/31395789-5550-43ce-8ab9-e1c62edb65ae/IMG_.jpg Farm updates just beautiful sun shining through a frame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/23d85b4d-a96e-4b7e-8244-f1c831d38e21/475849931_1114794277109289_7139539149906352830_n.jpg Farm updates Once the milk has cooled to 110⁰F, whisk in 1/4 cup of raw sugar, a generous tablespoon of yogurt starter(either saved from an earlier batch or for your first batch use store bought plain yogurt. Make sure it says live and active cultures https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709511800-DA0KI487MHL98LNWOHCB/493834179_1177420077513375_2555149396963469695_n.jpg Farm updates Summer crisp ,A customer favorite https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0708e0b4-72b9-45bb-8c60-257e5db7897a/20210524_163005.jpg Farm updates This nuc has a queen with a beautiful brood pattern https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c57aea21-6a9b-4b5f-972c-f7ab56aab92b/IMG_1495.JPG Farm updates The comb pieces were rubberbanded to frames and placed in a hive box https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5e99385e-13fe-42e3-8391-e046b0fc0205/20220603_112220.jpg Farm updates Looking good https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0a01ddbc-950b-47a5-8215-a97e2ee5d41f/6.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/816b6677-0358-4ab7-8614-59d27f5bf777/20230102_105400.jpg Farm updates A nice little January harvest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/97dea7a0-8c8c-4167-8e24-f9f55cb87cfc/6.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/9dfc6f49-feca-492f-8a17-1585a201f3e7/20230712_161256.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f051cfce-907b-43e4-96f7-50bef651580a/IMG_0945.jpg Farm updates we removed 2 frames of beautiful finished honeycomb. Some to cut and package for market https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0fdef233-9a32-43d6-80ea-0645b4d76a98/475774631_1114794307109286_2857909889657111093_n.jpg Farm updates Whisk the sugar and yogurt well into the warm milk. If you want vanilla flavor, you can add 1 or 2 teaspoons at this point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709509164-P58Y746N1CEBZJYIID5Q/493538194_1177420094180040_8332076355727438294_n.jpg Farm updates Crunchy green romaine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/2d1eb87c-6450-4834-be22-01c62cad2a97/IMG_1501.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/38d79e75-85f9-4cfc-b955-d1519b602431/20220603_113028.jpg Farm updates inside progress pic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/011823d2-ff17-4fed-9b25-8c8934a35793/7.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b69785cf-b1ce-4617-9fb6-ef5532d931f0/20230102_113934.jpg Farm updates Toss with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and air fry. Sooo good. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1760ea0f-46b1-45d9-b455-8c4de3eea96b/7.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1f916157-12dc-438d-bffd-c07131c2a0e9/20230712_161407.jpg Farm updates The tomato plants are already taller than I am and still growing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/742ae4f6-b99f-4bd4-b3c7-168195c7d0ef/IMG_1900.jpg Farm updates Find the queen in this photo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/19449699-6eac-4813-85b2-697eaef8b7dd/476017003_1114794320442618_1077853583823579046_n.jpg Farm updates Fill the clean jars with the warm mixture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709514677-HC21K6YLLQ7C69Z51WUM/494002698_1177420130846703_7504821925314818695_n.jpg Farm updates Strawberries are loaded with blossoms https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/9e72902a-d9d3-4442-bdf1-34c8f3ba269d/IMG_1503.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1d64c177-26da-49e5-be52-233d22d680e9/20220603_113003.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6172ddc0-9cfa-4a05-a8bc-e25bc8c6720a/20230102_104959.jpg Farm updates Lavendar looks nice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b0c79c51-b51a-4414-981c-158c1ed58f3d/8.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c5e8c987-16e8-4f9d-99b1-81734a748b43/20230712_161958.jpg Farm updates Dug the first giant garlic bulbs, lots more to go https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/86b62c44-576c-499c-81a1-556b236ec7d4/IMG_3110.jpg Farm updates building more swarm cells on the bottom of this frame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1d6105d7-568a-4c66-9597-0ae2780ec1a5/475800261_1114794343775949_6642484105580211515_n.jpg Farm updates Cover with jar lids or foil squares https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709517204-ZT22ZMDLQ09HBCEV0MU6/494072042_1177420117513371_1275698469170884817_n.jpg Farm updates Beautiful red romaines https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/7b46d667-9f0e-4657-b93d-d0f1fd6c58bf/IMG_1505.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/30187f90-5f4d-46f8-9e98-a0d6d00de376/20220603_112301.jpg Farm updates Tearing up lawn to plant pollinator plants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/8dd5ccf7-ff04-415a-9c09-9b96a60ff00f/20230102_104952.jpg Farm updates Sage and thyme are nice and green https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/7228f8b4-5fff-4f77-ad7a-086d2038cd05/9.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0ad6b394-b5f6-41f6-9a6b-966d2145bf4b/20230712_161434.jpg Farm updates snow peas are still producing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/85ba2654-2e1d-49a0-8261-1c7bef1fcfa5/IMG_3111.jpg Farm updates A rock star laying queen with an almost solid brood pattern. This is sealed worker brood in the metamorphosis stage from larvae to adult worker girls https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0217d3a4-cab7-484f-a54c-438fc277907d/476159741_1114794353775948_2798355016248237313_n.jpg Farm updates Now stack jars in a pan for a long incubation of 8 to 10 hours in a warm place at a temp of up to 110⁰F. We use the instant pot, but this can also be by a furnace, stove or in a crockpot on warm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709512062-GGVZQCV9P0C8K9AZKIWH/493950041_1177420204180029_7174629335699537297_n.jpg Farm updates Snow peas are looking nice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/3c08c847-46b4-4635-9420-bc26ae4a0d58/IMG_1506.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b645ec7f-dab1-48f3-aa51-a0ff754793c8/20230102_105015.jpg Farm updates Spinach outdoors survived under the snow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1c35dc3f-2744-4642-8507-6b5cb11ebb0b/10.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/99fd87fd-5dc2-4226-9ed4-d69c00f061be/20230712_160610.jpg Farm updates cabbage heads are beginning to form https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/23699326-9e04-4274-8b9c-f2029d2f1737/IMG_3116.jpg Farm updates this frame is mostly female worker sealed brood and the dome topped row on the bottom is drone (males) brood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/66c0731c-b88b-4209-a4d2-322d9016cf7d/476141555_1114794370442613_5725488438905542457_n.jpg Farm updates We use the sous vide setting at 110⁰F for 8.5 hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709521857-8QFEC3UGK0FS5OQCUGM1/494182677_1177420154180034_5162836877643840788_n.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/2754875e-c82f-4b42-a591-5bd178746b20/IMG_1511.JPG Farm updates shaking stragglers from the boxes we carried down to join the hive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/953261d3-c41c-4027-a01a-3627077caa56/11.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/27d73ff6-016d-42e8-93d5-eda99f811f67/20230521_092218.jpg Farm updates progression of our granddaughters garden beds, freshly built https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/d590f52b-32c3-46bd-9f21-277135e7dded/476448623_1114794390442611_9176303463121161155_n.jpg Farm updates Cover with a towel to help keep warm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709519483-K4H9AQCRQ0IQBJ99MWVH/494155353_1177420174180032_8213051423121280950_n.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0989bde2-a2e4-42c4-9e77-81d47a5e3d1f/IMG_1512.JPG Farm updates another large group of honeybees being dumped in the box to join their sisters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b9147195-16a3-43e7-9c40-72f3f2146d3a/12.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b318feda-baf3-48ca-a428-8d606ae51797/20230521_085200.jpg Farm updates planted with care https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/2c877edf-d556-496f-b2e0-9a64cfd8337f/475846580_1114794417109275_5482757564615086491_n.jpg Farm updates Check after 8 hours or overnight to see if it's thickened. It shouldn't take longer than 10 hrs. When over incubated, a clear liquid will form on the edges. This is just pure lactobacillus and other probiotics, just stir it in. Chill the jars and enjoy plain, add fruit, honey, jam, Granola or however you like it. Enjoy and stay healthy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709508960-4L3WIATTUXQAW3CPA8JP/493535934_1177420040846712_5892510423650861889_n.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f5b49f3e-0c76-488a-bf1e-293f6dd6b860/IMG_1514.JPG Farm updates There were a lot of honeybees in the roof, this is 2 boxes overflowing, so we added a third box with some of their honey and pollen frames https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/53c1da65-3095-4398-a03a-cd218012afd5/13.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/d9597a6d-60f3-4f6f-b77c-a4e97dfadeb0/20230712_162235.jpg Farm updates The plants grew fast https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709506647-3DJTN2PT3M5Q9JMXN8L5/493517993_1177419994180050_9203484084194417162_n.jpg Farm updates A ruffed grouse feeds on new growth in the tree top https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/aaead35d-f94c-4c4c-a3f9-4a2c0a898e02/IMG_1517.JPG Farm updates safely added to our apiary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/ff8b8d33-5dcb-41fd-9ab3-8e79ef08c46c/14.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/cb12171a-2dd5-449a-b3f4-06699a783f9b/20230706_215750.jpg Farm updates and the first picking of broccoli https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709506091-SL673PWPIGBNY72FSBIL/493513909_1177420014180048_2531485949095451364_n.jpg Farm updates An early source of pollen for the pollinators https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bc1bb91f-906f-421c-a0a9-756b922a7876/IMG_1518.JPG Farm updates lots of activity in the relocated hive , all of the hives will be monitored and treated for varroa mites before winter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5c172c01-8ff9-4bcf-a924-cf9983f74dd6/15.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/31dbf897-0e4a-4bca-8723-5bd49d5df8b8/20230712_162425.jpg Farm updates The bees are loving the lavendar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709504795-C0LV0DM08UDWTQ4G9CEF/493231711_1177419420846774_774322425145548683_n.jpg Farm updates Praying mantis egg case on our house foundation. When temps are right, hundreds of babies will hatch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/09d24980-9026-45b5-b6ca-98ea55a3b7e2/16.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/d41db636-3451-4d85-b6fc-b6a33e6b3a56/20230712_162354.jpg Farm updates beautiful and smells so great https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709519277-LO9ANG8DSET273KZF4G5/494181967_691584290054080_3788749156767340270_n.jpg Farm updates Find our honey, lozenges, lotions and lip balms at Cops & Doughnuts-Alpena https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b7008a04-3674-49f8-b15d-deb8022a7d40/17.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/56c80df0-a8a7-46a9-a4fc-f09e674cd0e2/20230712_164114.jpg Farm updates astilbe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709517665-XJCJ4H1Y472FP6WN8RNK/494121791_1179685020620214_727783760887481474_n.jpg Farm updates The honey bees are doing well https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/2fe08de8-3261-4e38-88fd-0d8f27a45307/20230712_164225.jpg Farm updates mallow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709528665-KHLWG3NQDDBEF34FLZE0/495083926_1179685037286879_3337699426394249394_n.jpg Farm updates This hive has full frames of brood, great queen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f96aa142-ed87-49f3-bd52-2984d9633b62/20230712_164258.jpg Farm updates black eyed susan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709527224-P55UU7ER982RBFDTLBE3/494740565_1179685150620201_7760619396386031446_n.jpg Farm updates Find the queen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/18b8712f-6498-4969-b6f9-45b38c2edebd/20230712_162857.jpg Farm updates sneeze weed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709522641-VMPL3G2RXEV9I509XREU/494479589_1179685123953537_8581298483511537843_n.jpg Farm updates Find the queen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/be58619b-d5f3-4a68-89bb-5e89b98d3213/20230712_162532.jpg Farm updates wild double rose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709524274-918QM9MFM2CJPSKQRTU6/494528123_1179685067286876_6598359425090069807_n.jpg Farm updates Find the queen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6be1958a-a3f1-4864-a060-acd7e52d930c/20230712_162458.jpg Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709529654-O412FKA8E7CIRPUSDYFU/495231321_1179685173953532_3940609083804136349_n.jpg Farm updates Find the queen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5da4c97f-4a3a-485f-a0bd-d4acce30ef7d/20230712_162614.jpg Farm updates cosmos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1a9b94ef-fcd9-4350-9bb4-73d36eb18568/20230712_164148.jpg Farm updates echinacea just opening https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/fe2febdf-fff7-440f-b53d-35e192310af1/20230712_162644.jpg Farm updates clover flowers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/042cb2fb-ee91-46cf-b210-c856262cfb29/20230712_162624.jpg Farm updates zinnia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/53ad86d3-1fc0-4fd3-9c9e-af78ccb67d92/20230712_162443.jpg Farm updates common milkweed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/838747b1-6991-4740-bc56-96d7b0aaeb88/20230712_162338.jpg Farm updates dianthus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/458a5e8c-f9a8-4993-a61e-f33000a97e91/20230712_162317.jpg Farm updates thyme https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/57c2a9fc-ea3a-4a64-ba85-237a8dfa466d/20230712_160745.jpg Farm updates salvius https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/484354cc-c803-4e7f-a52a-0330db2b9097/20230712_160925.jpg Farm updates a monarch in one of the milkweed patches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f4a4b210-1414-4b79-b8e6-3a3f29b58975/20230712_160833.jpg Farm updates the apple trees are loaded https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/72dad3b0-e3b5-4f01-b257-b1cdc1d8f248/20230712_160736.jpg Farm updates roman chamomile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/97a01f71-e274-441f-83f6-9179c2e7ac04/20230712_160544.jpg Farm updates achillea (yarrow) in so many shades, and daisies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/80520fd6-50b5-4134-b67c-fafbcae7c447/20230710_090055.jpg Farm updates our chicken flock is growing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/37ecbf0c-a1b1-40ba-b2a3-ac340079dd27/20230710_090144.jpg Farm updates we repurposed a truck topper to make a coop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/9d89aca9-d8e3-4f45-9277-34fb0f6fcee4/20230710_090130.jpg Farm updates reused a shutter for a ramp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1c5dd040-e6df-4df5-95dc-8ddc34c262cf/20230710_090123.jpg Farm updates the young hens are happy with the new topper coop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/9f37b6f5-b37b-43f9-aa5d-e7f8fd185c1a/20230711_172811.jpg Farm updates we're seeing baby mantises around the yard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c457cca9-5636-4913-b747-a8ab6d994f69/20230510_180037.jpg Farm updates we work all day and then go on walks in the woods or on bike rides to unwind. Living and loving life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/cbc7dbdf-13eb-4a97-b946-d59cb37a4500/20230630_210221%5B1%5D.jpg Farm updates This is our relaxing beautiful view a lot of evenings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/645cc908-0f21-4751-95bb-156a30ac4d3f/1.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6211cbb0-33b2-4cff-bc5e-5298b790a2ac/Untitled.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1646687575235-HA0JWVDMIERNWBGCP19K/snow%5B2%5D.jpg Farm updates - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1639661466770-ARLIRTW95UTAJAQJDTYK/beesonearth.jpg Farm updates 12/16/2021 Merry Christmas to everyone and here’s to a happy and healthy Holiday season!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625402965731-RLTVX5MUTUSG7ZHJF074/IMG_1251+%282%29.JPG Farm updates Look at those pollen poodle pants on this busy bee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625403030257-5J2E0PT0W69ASJW5JX6V/IMG_1250+%282%29.JPG Farm updates My Mullien patch I harvest leaves and flowers from for winter respiratory ailments is quite popular with the honeybees, mason bees and hoverflies. They all know what's good. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1624591321270-TTXYZXF50TRDOW20X9S8/20210622_113319.jpg Farm updates - 6/24/2021 - It’s been a busy week. We split some of our bee hives, inspected for the mite mauler traits(check out the educational section).We filled store orders from the hoop house produce and picked for market. Baby praying mantises hatched. We took a play day though and drove over to Lavendar Hill farm on the other side of the state. It’s a beautiful farm and They have BEES! This was a well deserved trip since this week is also our 35 year Anniversary. It’s been a wild ride with my Love, and I love where our journey has taken us. Life is good, My advice is stop and smell the flowers and watch the bees whenever you can. I never post selfies but here’s one of us. I can’t believe we’re this old! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1624592129340-M3LGLWNJE3ZWBIRGKQGP/IMG_1222.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1624592075297-VZR3WY42VWDC0ZYE0B4V/IMG_1221.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1624592252552-5P51GDP32ASHQQB5TTYV/IMG_1224.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1624592304469-ALF1320P9X00T0SZBDWG/IMG_1218.JPG Farm updates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1621031945225-1E2PJL96FXAKWV5T9JDY/IMG_7768.JPG Farm updates - 5/14/2021 You can find us Saturday morning 8am to 1pm (or until sold out) at the Alpena Farmer’s market with lots of romaine mix, chives, honey, honeycomb, lotions, lip balms and more And now you can buy our salad mix at Hubbard Lake General Store More great news is we are offering DOUBLE UP BUCKS at the farm for our SNAP, EBT, and P-EBT customers The weather has finally warmed up even though it’s still freezing at night. We will be inspecting our hives and making splits to increase the colonies before they build queen cells like this one from last year in the photo. If they make another queen the older one will leave with half the population in a swarm. Splitting the hive gives them more room so hopefully they won’t feel the need to swarm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1620007682748-C7KDN7O5QQ89IALJO6WV/beehyacinth.jpg Farm updates - Welcome to our new Rutherford Farm website 2021 is all good so far, Honeybees are busy at the dandelions, tulips, hyacinths and other spring flowers. We’re waiting for our dozens of apple trees, lilacs and other plants to blossom as well We had some hives die over the winter but the remaining colonies are building fast. Our focus this year will be to split our strong survivor hives and build on the Michigan survivor genetics to expand our apiary. We’re also purchasing winter surviving colonies from another Northern Michigan beekeeper to add even more strong genetics. The hoop house plants are growing well, we’ve had spinach throughout this mild winter, lots more veggies will follow. We also have a small greenhouse filled with perennial flower starts to add to our flower beds. Less Grass, More BEE Food! https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/farmupdates/october-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-10-10 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/farmupdates/may-8-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709524794-CSKF2KG03MKOVXBLXVCG/494679931_1184263773495672_2981023277110971165_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709530021-H01HLHGIX35HF9TMXKKT/495570063_1182992560289460_6770481280997901201_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709526471-9FCJN4CUTCLXQVHHTLGL/494760856_1182770506978332_450662373844021242_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709504795-C0LV0DM08UDWTQ4G9CEF/493231711_1177419420846774_774322425145548683_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709506091-SL673PWPIGBNY72FSBIL/493513909_1177420014180048_2531485949095451364_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709506647-3DJTN2PT3M5Q9JMXN8L5/493517993_1177419994180050_9203484084194417162_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709521857-8QFEC3UGK0FS5OQCUGM1/494182677_1177420154180034_5162836877643840788_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709508960-4L3WIATTUXQAW3CPA8JP/493535934_1177420040846712_5892510423650861889_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709509164-P58Y746N1CEBZJYIID5Q/493538194_1177420094180040_8332076355727438294_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709511800-DA0KI487MHL98LNWOHCB/493834179_1177420077513375_2555149396963469695_n.jpg Farm updates - May 8 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1746709512062-GGVZQCV9P0C8K9AZKIWH/493950041_1177420204180029_7174629335699537297_n.jpg Farm updates - 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May 8 2025 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/home daily 1.0 2025-10-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619488038341-8CBBLHCVQPMBHAP14YBG/usdasign.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619973656933-TRC3G1ZHC6EGZY6Z0NYU/18519962_1339306792784952_6175096519490377440_n.jpg Home https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/our-story daily 0.75 2021-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619527011833-Y568REK1XFYB5GNIV7MV/glow.jpg Our Story The sun shining through a frame during an inspection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619526683414-2471SZND7RMGW5EPQDBT/flower+collage.jpg Our Story Some of our ever growing varieties of Pollinator plants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619527680961-EXOBNM2YDJDDBYFLL0ZW/queenpath.jpg Our Story One of the many 2020 swarms and the Queen marching in to their new home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619528369618-9DPQ53G1KV5NCUS2SEJE/sign.jpg Our Story MAEAP verified in the fall of 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619530968503-KNWUNSU43B25NU0835PX/mantis.jpg Our Story A Praying Mantis helps control bad bugs around the farm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1624587474514-T35QO6ZEG0S8BH45MFGC/baby+mantis.jpg Our Story - Baby Praying mantises Aren’t they cute? Hundreds hatch from each egg case and are released into the hoop house and gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619531508987-KJQTY8I86FR06ZDW4B49/ladybugs.jpg Our Story Releasing 3000 Native Ladybugs https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2021-05-05 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/reviews-1-1 daily 0.75 2025-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1621030229962-6EQJTHLUH7CW8PENAUR9/bee1.jpg Help - Bee populations are critical for ensuring a healthy environment. As we try to build a healthier, more resilient future for all and try to do our part to curb the rapid decline of bee populations and bolster the local community and ecosystem. We are grateful for your support! All donations will be used for bee hive boxes and equipment, bee colony purchases, pollinator habitat plant and seed costs, and continuous efforts to educate and help others to protect our pollinators and help them thrive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619973656933-TRC3G1ZHC6EGZY6Z0NYU/18519962_1339306792784952_6175096519490377440_n.jpg Help https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop daily 0.75 2024-04-11 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/clothing monthly 0.5 2021-07-10 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/earrings monthly 0.5 2024-04-11 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/gifts monthly 0.5 2024-04-26 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/mail-order-products monthly 0.5 2024-04-26 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/michigan-fossils monthly 0.5 2024-04-11 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/pre-order-for-farm-pickup monthly 0.5 2024-04-26 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/4p5f6go3b6x8dg10h0xpdwxidm7uyh monthly 0.5 2025-10-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1725537715741-1BSM31A47G5BOUQS2TQJ/processed_da869ccbeb9c4f75b75c10cefe7fbb20.jpeg Shop - 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Miniature Bee Hive toy or exhibit, very detailed https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/light-weight-wooden-bee-laser-cut-earrings monthly 0.5 2024-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1707181057862-X17Z0SW3H156ZGCW5RFW/IMG_2861.JPG Shop - Light weight wooden bee laser cut earrings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1707181059046-V1DR8BY18W2EXYW6PS5Q/IMG_2862.JPG Shop - Light weight wooden bee laser cut earrings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1707181057527-V91J8ZYUSVK80ATM9I5H/IMG_2863.JPG Shop - Light weight wooden bee laser cut earrings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1707181058333-4E0XYA3A8O4A8D2TODHS/IMG_2864.JPG Shop - Light weight wooden bee laser cut earrings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1707181057099-DVN820EYNH3J4F5VOBSQ/IMG_2877.JPG Shop - Light weight wooden bee laser cut earrings https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/light-weight-wooden-bee-laser-cut-earrings-85l4d-yhbl9-63hk9-n26cb monthly 0.5 2024-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1712850823758-KEX7DKKD24MRHS4Q7JML/IMG_3096.JPG Shop - 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Comfrey Plantain healing salve https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1665501880226-LQYB0BJCYQALUC2MRL3I/processed_63ccef4b88744e62bf8276c2b2ccd172.jpeg Shop - Comfrey Plantain healing salve https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/38s6ul4mx16uurihy6gklj47fn9r22 monthly 0.5 2025-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1663323115288-W565DTLW6MOPYOLZCMC1/processed_2183f275092e40e7b080edc6a4d1e170.jpeg Shop - honey straws https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1663323096176-QL558UINI7IH54JCUE41/processed_1c0481a6cc1140129262af488a6204cd.jpeg Shop - honey straws https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/imptcduky2w2vh3imwhald9kpyr80q monthly 0.5 2025-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625784798180-1Z3UHMOVN8PSNAQ580A3/lotion.jpg Shop - All Natural Healing Hand and Body Lotion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625784817564-9CT1CNRYXCD6OM7GT2QV/lotion2.jpg Shop - All Natural Healing Hand and Body Lotion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625784817646-EUXK4CGMIE46QKIG9GID/lotion4.jpg Shop - All Natural Healing Hand and Body Lotion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625784817724-M0ZJCGL9EG3NC6DZ2WHA/lotion3.jpg Shop - All Natural Healing Hand and Body Lotion https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/all-natural-healing-lip-balm-mail-order-listing monthly 0.5 2024-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625782272672-AS6FV2C564L14W8G9PJ1/balms.jpg Shop - All Natural Healing Lip Balm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625782272777-3G0MVDI7YU2G4Y49EDT2/balm2.jpg Shop - All Natural Healing Lip Balm https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/honey-lemon-lollipops-mail-order-listing monthly 0.5 2024-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625782018251-3WJ12N0W5ZTVQC20CAVL/suckers2.jpg Shop - Honey Lemon Lollipops https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/honey-lemon-lollipops-mail-order-listing-d7bx6 monthly 0.5 2024-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1710615945150-D4895U9T4QW2BBBJ3AJS/20240316_112325.jpg Shop - Honey Lemon Drops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1710615949818-AGMPHTOLNMXL50UGVSYG/20240316_112034.jpg Shop - Honey Lemon Drops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1710615951470-YZC994WXBFUVNCM0EOC4/20240316_112045.jpg Shop - Honey Lemon Drops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1710615953134-GXKM632KZAK3NGTBGCTF/20240316_140202.jpg Shop - Honey Lemon Drops https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/raw-honey-unheated-unfiltered-straight-from-our-hives-in-northern-mi-farm-mail-order-listing monthly 0.5 2026-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625781749641-ZKWSWDPRXNY5REG0FFNE/honey3.jpg Shop - Raw Honey - unheated, unfiltered. straight from our hives in Northern MI-Farm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1700488869915-2UN7VEB56B2JMQZLG052/20231120_084554%5B1%5D.jpg Shop - Raw Honey - unheated, unfiltered. straight from our hives in Northern MI-Farm https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/raw-bee-propolis-10-grams-mail-order-listing monthly 0.5 2026-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1625781448066-CB63WQIMF7IF4CA9QJWS/propolis.jpg Shop - Raw Bee propolis - 10 grams https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/romaine-mix monthly 0.5 2025-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619491154136-U4YYTWXMBVUY78UZ5RLU/romaine+mix.jpg Shop - Spring Mix https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/shop/p/gift-card-98rpa monthly 0.5 2021-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619491025774-CZCJM7CYFVCK0UNOK24X/assortment.jpg Shop - Gift Card https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/education3 daily 0.75 2021-05-05 https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/education3/mite-biter-mite-mauler-bee-info-and-research monthly 0.5 2021-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/8e773235-b479-48d4-847f-fde5e1464f54/swarm.jpg Education - Mite Biter, Mite Mauler Bee info and research This is a swarm we were called to remove. After a week isolated away from our apiary,they are building comb nicely and have a nice fat queen, BUT are infested with honeybees enemy VARROA mites, which can weaken or kill a bee colony or cause them to abscond. There are 4 mites visible just in this photo. Many will not be seen under the belly scales of a bee. We treated these gals with oxalic acid and had tremendous mite drop. Our goal is to have honeybees that will also control mites on their own by seeking out and killing mites . This trait is the "Mite biter or Mite mauler" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c634776b-1d2c-40ee-86e4-5c5292c616ba/scopemites.jpg Education - Mite Biter, Mite Mauler Bee info and research We are members of the Michigan Beekeepers Association and they had a very informative seminar on how to tell which hives have the mite biter traits. This is my process 1: I made a grid on a paper towel and with a soft paintbrush removed the mites I found under each hive and placed on the grid.2: I used the brush to transfer one mite at a time to my 2000X dissecting scope platform 3:After looking for mite injuries from the bees, gently flip over the mite to look at the opposite side. 4: From barely visible tiny mite to big ugly bug! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/e3cf22e8-b957-429f-97ab-b69ac17fbf21/mites.jpg Education - Mite Biter, Mite Mauler Bee info and research These are varroa mites, top and bottom. No visible honeybee bites damage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/4c7af9e2-1881-4e8f-831e-cbd4739d8148/mitebite1.jpg Education - Mite Biter, Mite Mauler Bee info and research In these images you can see bite damage evidence from the honeybees. Legs bitten off, whole belly plate missing one one, guts leaking out on others https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/education3/project-four-ncx7s monthly 0.5 2021-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/9ce0db26-80d5-49d3-934e-e7b08ff89e0f/stinger.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images This a barbed bee stinger, sharper than a sewing needle and you can see the channel for the venom to travel through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/cd352ba9-59a4-4776-bbd3-49e0e80d6b39/stingersac.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images This is the venom sac that is attached to the stinger and pumps the venom through https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/a9d39f77-3924-4ec9-96dc-40c9271ba99e/scope1.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images Beeutiful bee belly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5053738b-c0a3-4ab8-b928-facf736f6bc8/scope2.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images A honeybee tongue. Notice the tiny hairs on the tongue as well as on the mouth parts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/cee24a14-2b5c-4e39-b9bd-5363415c8eb2/scope6.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images The branched tip of her tongue https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/279de6b2-794b-4f5a-b843-48a247bef6be/scope3.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images A close up of the body hair, looks like a branched wheat field https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/5f8b3490-f19b-48d4-80d0-4f3a8dc9aad3/scope4.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images A honeybee eye, hairs are on the compound eye https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bd97a46b-d25d-4b70-aac7-f0e7cc5633b7/scope5.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images A honeybee antennae, an amazing structure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bc667950-9878-4125-ad1a-fd34b04e1a73/scope7.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images Beautiful delicate wings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/4f2ab608-e5cc-4dc4-b938-15b2389c58d1/scope8.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images A closer magnification of the wing texture reflecting the light spectrum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/588c3277-721f-4644-935f-13b115c2132c/scope9.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images And even tiny hairs grow on the delicate wing, amazing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f9a1464b-4527-4f2f-9390-407c00bcae18/scope10.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images The 2 pair of wings hook together in flight. These triangles are the wing hooks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1620003676894-IRODQZILIY7Y3EKR9T9K/pollen3.jpg Education - Cool Bee pics, microscopic images These are some amazing shapes of the pollen granules in our honey https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/education3/project-three-455d2 monthly 0.5 2021-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/d0854fe3-dc7a-4a15-9951-de27165aeeca/hoop.jpg Education - Our natural pest management We grow our food without herbicides or pesticides and are USDA Environmentally friendly. So we practice natural pest control and create an environment to encourage natural predators of the plant eating bugs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/2cf84463-0773-44ce-ade7-8182c0f0b314/dandelions.jpg Education - Our natural pest management Our yard and field are full of dandelions and other native flowers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/e011fb1d-64bf-4183-a3f4-6c010d808cc4/mantis.jpg Education - Our natural pest management We have lots of praying mantises, they are such cool bugs and eat lots of the bad ones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/33e4c36a-f086-4a29-8d91-2d93dd1ed743/20220919122857%5B1%5D.JPG Education - Our natural pest management This Gal hitched a ride all during hive inspections and caught herself a snack https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/e10ff839-6c9f-4e4b-a8a1-2696332ea35b/mantiscase2.jpg Education - Our natural pest management This is a praying mantis egg case on the house foundation. Babies will hatch when the weather is right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bb5c4faa-b7d4-40eb-9257-47827db9d397/20221101185339%5B1%5D.JPG Education - Our natural pest management We've heard fox calls in our woods and finally saw this beauty. They eat lots of rodents https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1622888066859-ZOSG5XXLLIZ51SP177WF/20210605_060147.jpg Education - Our natural pest management This is a ladybug larva hanging out on the pea trellis. They eat aphids and bad bugs also. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/79931c96-f4bf-4f06-bbe9-d640c004c836/babymantis.jpg Education - Our natural pest management A newborn baby praying mantis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bed11e8d-c31d-46de-9c76-173e06a91a35/babymantis2.jpg Education - Our natural pest management lots of baby mantis hatching https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/88a6984e-d0cf-47fc-8810-71303f870459/ladybugs.jpg Education - Our natural pest management Releasing 3000 native ladybugs in the hoop house (not the invasive asian lady beetle) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/d55e0661-3c80-4756-bab8-de6a81c6b3f2/snake.jpg Education - Our natural pest management We also have a healthy garter snake, frog and toad population to help keep pests controlled. Although this garter from a few years ago bit off more than she could handle trying to eat the toad. https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/education3/project-two-89k73 monthly 0.5 2021-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/72660f88-d6b0-4206-a11c-7179dca29469/hives.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees Here are a few of our hives during the middle of a nectar flow, busy girls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b5ecc5f8-7051-45ac-a17c-9353f00efdd9/baybee.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees A new worker bee. Workers are all girls and have different jobs in the hive and foraging at various stages in their life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/a306510e-5ebd-4e82-bcaf-8b41eb51a443/drone.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees This is a Drone, a boy. He has a rounded butt, no stinger and large eyes. His only job is to mate. (in mid air, then his life is done) He is even fed by female worker bees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b7b1c630-5dbd-44a4-a869-44faae73834d/drone2.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees This is the size difference of a drone, (middle left) compared to the other female worker bees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/12453ec9-bca3-4af6-b722-e6adff7c7434/nurse+bees.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees These workers are feeding the babees (larvae) curled up in the honeycomb cells https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/525c9db2-e423-4e68-9946-bae47c2ad95c/larvanqueen.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees The Queen has a long fat abdomen(center near bottom) She mates with several drones on mating flights after she emerges from a cell. Then she has enough eggs and sperm stored for a few years of almost constant egg laying. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c965a670-690d-41c9-9fe3-2e2be10e987a/brood.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees This is sealed brood, almost a solid pattern, This hive has a fantastic queen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/c0aa7fce-da6c-4a17-984c-b2d05eb5fabb/workerndronebrood.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees The brood on this frame is worker brood(flat topped) on the right, and drone brood(left) with the dome shaped tops. The queen lays a fertile egg for female workers and an unfertilized egg for the drones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/17aaacf7-13d3-4ec3-a644-6204f3f53d87/eggs.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees Look for the white dot in the bottom of the black cells, those are fresh laid eggs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1693fbac-0c2c-49e8-a807-761c95fc47ab/queen.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees This is a nice fat marked queen. Sometimes she's hard to find among all the busy bees, so marking with a spot of bee safe paint makes her easier to find. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/75129f8d-48af-47e5-a4a6-93b82862a2ac/findqueen.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees There's a queen on this frame, can you find her? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/82b56743-a50b-4f43-81e4-dec172f9dd7c/findqueen2.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees Find the queen here also!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/27b74454-6718-4a84-bf91-992093dfb941/pollen2.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees Bees are fun to watch, loaded down with pollen they sometimes make a tumble landing. The guards(one of the girls many jobs) make sure she belongs there and let her come in the entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/75d8d8d3-8e39-4c29-94ea-2e639f725206/install1.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees Purchased packages of bees come in a white mesh bee bus, with 3 # of workers, a can of sugar water feed and a caged queen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/de8de98f-7dc6-4d74-8c81-52fee1e71933/install2.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees The caged queen, gets a lot of attention from her loyal subjects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6de1d24f-c3b7-4b80-a51b-7a2f9b1decc6/install3.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees Her you can see her nice fat abdomen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/994387b9-ce2d-4775-bfe9-708f9c00198e/wonky2.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees hives can have very different characteristics. Some build nice perfect straight comb. This hive built a boomerang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bc7480f8-accb-4b4c-ba4d-23fc6863598d/banded+comb.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees When they can't build straight comb, we help them with a few rubberbands to hold it in place straight on the frames https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f93dec74-fdce-4a82-b7c0-ad265740fa09/swarm2.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees One of the swarms that found our yard last summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/b4a85db3-e4ab-4be1-8377-87600fcdcd0f/swarm.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees Another huge swarm in the same apple tree in our yard, 2020 was a crazy swarm year https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/782ccaed-4003-4eb4-8c8f-18e4e6029b44/nectar.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees A honeybee sipping nectar from an apple blossom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/8a69811b-d721-441d-ba51-b807c80b7546/mason.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees This is a little mason bee. We have a variety of other native pollinators in our yard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6b0f9a15-fef9-4080-886c-6bbcf845f2b4/bumble.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees A HUGE bumble bee coming in for a landing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f60277c9-3599-4177-b8e0-17b7791e0c96/flow.jpg Education - Introduction to our Bees We have a few flow hives and Love tasting the different honey from whatever's blooming as the season progresses. https://rutherfordfarmproduceandhoney.com/education3/project-one-4c2dj monthly 0.5 2021-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/fd238fdc-1e55-4ef3-8106-6cce7933c301/waxglands.jpg Education - All about our beeswax Honeybees produce wax from glands on their stomachs, (not my pic, from an educational seminar) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/fe8ea626-c23a-4601-b596-15709393a289/new+comb.jpg Education - All about our beeswax Here are a group of bees working on building new honeycomb https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/0450f2f9-10f6-41b7-9e8a-7e73382056e5/newcomb.jpg Education - All about our beeswax a beautiful new comb coming along nicely https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/1619991367203-LMSYMI3NCKR2QQ1H4IR9/suncomb.jpg Education - All about our beeswax Sun shining through comb, some cells are filled with pollen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/d8213344-21cc-4c0b-99bc-f42009ce4070/brood.jpg Education - All about our beeswax Bees will raise brood, store honey and pollen in their beeswax comb https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/bea94a95-ee82-413b-9413-df66ead0f9c8/wax1.jpg Education - All about our beeswax after generations of brood are raised the comb will get darker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/f4670e03-8309-4956-bd37-161ff1a1908b/wax2.jpg Education - All about our beeswax old comb is melted down in a huge pot to a mush https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/be1e7e0f-51c9-407d-b157-ca330da9e26c/wax4.jpg Education - All about our beeswax I use an old crockpot and cheesecloth to strain out impurities for the second melting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/6605e688-7b34-425a-adff-85bf80687962/wax3.jpg Education - All about our beeswax after melting down and straining, the old dark comb is now looking nice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/9fa79c05-2014-4fdd-9eac-6e8150162ed6/beeswax.jpg Education - All about our beeswax beeswax is melted and poured into molds ready for use in my lip balms and lotions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6087593ed3e47f1a7c710d9f/06d8a55d-0259-4b9a-977b-794dcb2074cd/lotion.jpg Education - All about our beeswax the finished lip balms and lotions using our own bees' wax as the thickener. Best lotion and lip balm ever! There are many many uses for natural beeswax.