Are there any local honey farmers in Treasure Beach? I think this would be a great alternative for under-employed fishermen. From what I hear, the Ja Govt is offering incentives.
There is one in Ft. Charles and his delicious Parchment Honey is on sale at the Treasure Beach Women's Group and Smurf's Cafe.
I suspect that there is also a market for beeswax locally and in foreign.
Lignum Vitae honey would fit into a specialist niche on Main Street anywhere.
Good to know Rebecca, thanks. You're on target turey; I read recently that there is great demand and that is why I'm considering it. I don't know anything of the hands-on process which is why I asked about local production with the hope of getting some practical advice. Although a little scared, I'm willing to get a few stings in order to learn.
Check the Sunday Gleaner classifieds Yearning, I saw an ad or two for people supplying hives and queens. I'm sure they would give basic advise too.
The people at Fort Charles are nearby.
We all would benefit from the pollination too.
Mr. Parchment is always willing to share information or give a tour of his hives and operation. The best is when he sees me driving by and flags me down on a day they are collecting the honey and I get some of the wax to suck the honey out of. Trust me, out of this world delicious!
There's a farm on the road from Fort Charles inland, maybe halfway to Pondside, where I've seen a whole bunch of hives that look well-tended. Maybe someone could check that out, too.
These are great responses. I am looking forward to a trip to Fort Charles by mid year. Based solely on the name, I have a funny feeling I might be distantly related to Mr Parchment. I hope in the future I will be able to report my progress on this web site. Thanks everyone.
Isn't logwood honey from those beautiful pervasive yellow blossoms the predominant honey gathered in Ft Charles (de-licious)? Are the gathering bees discriminating or are they, like vintners, boutique blenders of several varieties of blossoms (including lignum vitae & a touch of citrus) to produce a blend that is oh so uniquely ours..sucked so lovingly out of our dryness and surprising fertility?
Rebecca there is a honey hole up by sandy bank for more 30 years no not too for from the football ground.
I've purchased honey from the farm in Fort Charles a few times (although one visit they were out) as well as from the Treasure Beach Women's Group several times.
One of the simply, sinfully, wonderful things we do with it when we bring it back (we try to bring back several bottles) is go to our a local chocolatier and have them make logwood honey truffles...they are SO good!