Urban Beekeeping
I am so excited to announce that my friend and beekeeping mentor, Corky Luster, has officially launched Ballard Bee Company—an urban pollination service. Here’s how it works: Corky comes to your yard in spring, sets up a hive, and stops by weekly to check in on the bees’ progress. In return for hosting a hive, you get a personal pollination station in your garden and some of the hive’s honey at the end of the season.
If you want to get involved, he’ll mentor you on the finer points of beekeeping. Don’t have a backyard? Not a problem. You can sponsor a hive—Corky will share some honey with you and donate honey sales from your hive to programs that teach kids the art and science of beekeeping.
All of the Ballard Bee hives are kept in the city—don’t worry, it’s perfectly legal—where the bees forage for pollen from a diverse range of sources, including blackberries, fruit trees, and backyard vegetable gardens. The resulting honey is lightly floral, golden, and absolutely delicious. Corky and his sweetie Karen hand pour the honey into glass apothecary jars and sell it to a number of Seattle-area retailers and restaurants, including Boat Street Café, Dish D’Lish, DeLaurenti and Pasta and Co. In 2010 they plan on expanding their product line to include creamed, spreadable honey (my favorite!), comb honey, and maybe even a candle line.
Pretty good buzz, don’t you think?
Thanks to TKTJ Design for providing the photos for this post.
What a fantastic idea to get people started on beekeeping. There is something similar in Utah County, but I haven’t been able to find any hive share company that services the area where I live. I would love to do it, but I’m a bit overwhelmed at the thought of doing everything myself.
December 16th, 2009 at 12:34 pmThanks so much for this post! I live in North Bend, WA and I am planning on taking some basic beekeeping classes come this Spring. I can’t wait to learn more and get started with my own backyard hive. I love that beekeeping seems to be on the rise!
December 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pmKalin–I’m sure if you wanted to talk to Corky about how Ballard Bee Co. works, he’d be happy to. He is super knowledgeable and really nice.
Jen–You should definitely look into joining Puget Sound Beekeepers. It is a great organization. Meetings are only once a month, so maybe it would be possible for you to drive in from North Bend. They are held at the Graham Visitor Center in the WA Park Arboretum.
December 16th, 2009 at 3:01 pmI just sent Corky an email – would love to host a hive! Will have to find out more. Thanks for the fab info as always!
December 16th, 2009 at 8:18 pm.-= Tiffany S.´s last blog ..My crafty friends… =-.
We hosted one of Corky’s fine hives this past year, in our backyard. Next year we plan on hosting a second as well. He is easy-going, knowledgeable, energetic and passionate about his/our bees. He really cares, and it shows. We have recommended his service and their honey to many friends and family. There’s no such thing as too much of a good thing. Bring on the bees!
December 16th, 2009 at 9:43 pmI’m contacting him right now!
December 17th, 2009 at 10:32 am.-= gardenmentor´s last blog ..Harvest for the Hungry Frozen for Winter =-.
Great! If I don’t have to tend them, I won’t have to worry about bee stings! Now, to find someone willing to do this in Boise.
December 17th, 2009 at 6:28 pmWhat a great idea! I’d love to have someone come and do this in my garden. I love bees, but I don’t know enough to take care of them.
December 17th, 2009 at 6:31 pm.-= Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog ..A Festive December Out On the Streets =-.
Oh, I wish there was a similar service here. I want bees, but I don’t know if I would be a good beekeeper. Well, that is just innovative and too cool.~~Dee
December 17th, 2009 at 9:06 pmFANTASTIC idea! Pollination for your garden, honey for your kitchen (or your face), helping bees proliferate, and lending a hand to a fledgling business!
That’s what I cal a win-win-win-win situation!
Thanks for so many amazing posts this year, Willi! so great to get to know you!
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:12 pm.-= Germi´s last blog ..… And a Happy New Year! Episode 1! =-.
Hey guys, I’m doing an article on the Ballard Bee Company for MyBallard.com and I would love to talk to any of you who have hosted a bee hive or have anything to do with Ballard Bee Company. Will you email me at emilyf3@uw.edu? Thanks! -Emily
January 27th, 2010 at 12:22 pm[...] of last year, my co-hort and friend Willi Galloway introduced me to the Ballard Bee Company in her blog post at Digginfood.com announcing their launch. When I read her post, I immediately picked up the phone [...]
February 25th, 2010 at 9:47 am