Allison Clark
Chapter Guru / Farmgirl Guide / Sharpshooter
76 Posts
Allie
Nacona
Texas
USA
76 Posts
Posted - Aug 01 2021 : 7:55:50 PM
My friend Candy let me put two beehives on her land that mike let us foster for a bit. Candy let all her weed grow so they had a way to make the honey. For the last three months, I have been monitoring them. I talked to them and took pitchers of them. I have very much enjoyed being around them. We went to Mike and he took the time to show us how to extract the honey. He first used a machine that was hot to uncapped the honey from the tray, then used a round brush to make sure they were all uncapped. Put them in a centrifuge to spin the honey from the frames. The honey would go to the outside of the walls and drain to the bottom. Mike would then strain it into a bucket. The room needs to be very warm during this process. I think I sweat so much, but it was worth it. I purchased some from him and gave them to some friends. I really enjoyed doing this merit badge.
Allison Clark
MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7010 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7010 Posts
Posted - Aug 02 2021 : 1:37:06 PM
Congratulations Allison on finishing another badge! It sounds like you had a blast and learned so much. Enjoy the honey.
Krista
AndreaPA
True Blue Farmgirl
541 Posts
Andrea
Factoryville
PA
USA
541 Posts
Posted - Aug 02 2021 : 2:02:52 PM
Congratulations Allison! Bees are so amazing. I remember the first time I saw honey extracted. As you said, it all stuck to the sides. It didn't look like much but once he started emptying it out I couldn't believe how much honey was in there.
Looks like fun! I want to try this someday, despite an allergy to bee stings, lol. It's just too interesting not to try!
I had a childhood friend who's family had hives and I remember them spinning the frames and letting us dip into the honey. I knew that someday I was going to have to do this for myself someday. And to have the wax, too, to craft with...what fun!
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147 2009 Farmgirl of the Year
Not your average Girl ;-)
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing