Buzzing with New Information

It is only Tuesday and we have already attended two information-packed classes this week! The first class was about Beekeeping and Honey Production. The second class was about Wholesale Success. Thanks to the wonderful people at the University of Missouri Extension and Three Rivers Beekeeping for providing these educational classes to beginning farmers.

There was over a 100 people who attended the Beekeeping and Honey Production workshop. Not only was it packed with people, but we were able to learn a lot about the do's and dont's of starting your own hives. At times, it was hard to keep up with the conversation because beekeepers seems to have their own language and use words like: broods, nucs, uncapped queen cells, drawn combs, and swarms. Luckily, we sat next to nice, experienced beekeeping individuals that helped us decode the information. Also, we learned that there are many beekeepers in the local community that are willing to be mentors to "bee-ginners." At the end of the presentation, we were given the advice to start with two hives rather than just one so that we can compare and learn more. We are not sure if that is in the budget yet, but I hope we can make it possible.

Today, the presentation about Wholesale Success was given by Atina Diffley from Minnesota. She and her husband had run a successful wholesaling organic farming business for about 30 years. She was energetic, informative, yet realistic about how a small farmer can grow their business. She went over topics like proper washing of produce, food safety plans, and how to store produce to improve its shelf life. I learned a new word - fungible - which means exchangeable or replaceable. She used it in reference to teaching new farmers to be more unique and less fungible. It is no "fun" for farmers to be fungible!

Atina Diffley was such an great speaker that we felt compelled to buy her newly published book, "Turn Here, Sweet Corn."

After Atina's speech, we heard from a panel of wholesale buyers and distributors from the St. Louis area. We became further inspired with other ways to turn our farm into a successful business. One thing that shocked me is that the demand for locally grown produce is currently so great that buyers and distributors can't get enough of it. Buyers and distributors are willing to drive to farms to pick up small and large amounts of locally grown and organic produce from the St. Louis area. Wow!