the honey house to Washington County, Maine May 1999
We brought our bees to the blueberry barrens of Cherryfield, Maine. When the bees pollinate the blueberry flowers, the fruit crop is increased around 300% compared to relying on just the wild bees and other insects for pollination.
When this land is cleared, the blueberry crop comes up the next year. The wild, low growing blueberries do not need to be planted here; they have always been in the soil. The brown bears must celebrate the arrival of the bees. Electric fences around each group of beehives and constant patrols throughout the night minimize the number of hives they tear apart looking for the next meal. The blueberries will grow throughout the summer and be harvested in August.
Research has shown that the antioxidants in blueberries may slow the aging process, reverse memory loss, and improve vision.
the honey house to Waldo County, Maine February 2004
The fertile, rich fields of Maine have supported these blueberry plants for thousands of years. Every year a dense carpet of low bush blueberries inhabit and flourish on the land. Planted or propagated by the natives long ago or perhaps Nature’s own garden, they inspire awe at their abundance.
The family who work hard and harvest the fields hold much thankfulness in their hearts. The connection has inspired a deeper commitment in them to steward the land and to give back to the plants. The land had been chemically fertilized before they moved in and they decided on less intrusive methods. Simple. Their methods of harvest have not changed since the plants were the food of their ancestors. A little hand rake with a basket. No tractors. No plows. No Chemicals. The blueberry plants fertilize themselves from their own berries, leaves, returning to the soil from the guano of visiting birds.
Every year during the flurry of harvest they hire young folk from the community to do the hand work. This could be the most important aspect of the farm. Community participation – exposing the kids (12 years & older) to the purity and connection to the Earth. Being close to the plants, the smells, the tactile sensations, the peace that comes with it.
The little storehouses are not only a rich food source but have many medicinal qualities under study today. They exhibit antioxidant activity, cardiovascular protection, anti-diabetic, vision improvement (night vision), inhibition of cancer forming conditions, ant-microbial & wound healing (using leaves & fruit), relieving diarrhea (leaves), urinary tract infection, gastric protection, brain protection. (Bilberries & blueberries as functional food & Nutraceuticals M.E. Camire, University of Maine.)
With some of the 2003 crop, on a snowy day February 2004
With some of the 2003 crop, on a snowy day February 2004
Abigail and I came to Theresa’s organic blueberry farm in Stockton Springs, Maine to get 700 lbs. of frozen berries from her freezer on the farm and bring them back to Vermont on a cold day in deep winter. This begins a bountiful partnership connecting and synergizing these two natural wonders, blueberries and honey, the plants and the bees. All spring from the soil and inn reverence and awe for these gifts we give thanks.
Rejuvenation Tonic
After months of working together with a team from the honey house, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, the University of Vermont, the Vermont Food Venture Center, and the University of Maine, we have made Rejuvenation Tonic. With organic wild blueberries from Theresa and Tom Gaffney’s organic blueberry farm in Stockton Springs, Maine, this tonic will nutrify and support our bodies well being via the vitamin and mineral content and enzymes of its ingredients. Rejuvenation Tonic will help the body adapt to stress and promote an overall sense of well-being.
This formulation also includes our bees’ Apitherapy raw honey and tonifying herb Eleuthrococcus; this used to be called Siberian ginseng and is considered an adaptogen, helping the body adapt to stressful situations.
This tonic also contains burdock root, which stimulates the natural flow of lymphatic fluid, thus supporting the excretion of toxic products from the body. The nettles, rich in iron, Vitamin C, Calcium Magnesium Zinc support the blood and immune system and urinary tract. The milk thistle seed supports liver protection and exhibits antioxidant activity. The fresh bee pollen is rich in B vitamins, bioflavanoids, and protein. It is energizing. The kelp is high in natural iodine, trace minerals which support thyroid function and lends a touch of ocean energy.
This tonic will nutrify, aid in protecting the body from stress via the antioxidant activity of blueberries, support digestion (raw honey), and strengthen the blood (nettles), supply trace minerals, vitamins and energy.
We have sold all of our 2003 Apitherapy raw honey, and will begin shipping again with the new crop of mid-July. After a few pallets of 5 lb. and 2 lb. cases are filled, we will only be filling one lb. jars. We are directing our bees’ special honey to our line of plant medicine and the 1 lb. jars, both of which are most supportive our sustainability in agriculture.
Thank you for your interest in and support of our honey bees and plants.