Looking At Numbers And Saying Good-bye
Kathy Summers
So because of COVID and just in general being short-handed in our Publications department for the last year plus, I have taken on the task of calculating the numbers that are sent in by our honey reporters. When I first started with Bee Culture (a hundred or so years ago) this all was done by hand and Kim being a guy who really enjoys numbers did most of the calculating. Now days, of course, we have Excel. So I enter the numbers and the program does all the calculating.
What has been very enlightening in doing this task is the fact that as beekeepers we are all over the map. I hope that you at least take a glance at the numbers each month. And if you do you’ll see what I mean. The numbers that really tell you a lot are the Minimum to Maximum range numbers. That $5 under Pollination fees is a real number. There is a guy who just charges $5 and another guy who charges $200 and everything in between.
Just to be sure I didn’t make an error that scues the numbers, I double-checked this time and there are simply just some vast differences. I know that some of this is regional and you have to know your market. Also some of us are making a living at this and counting on that money and for many of the rest of us it’s just a hobby and we’re practically giving it away.
I don’t know how much other agricultural industries vary, but I think we need to take a close look at our pricing and see if we’re being fair with ourselves and other beekeepers. Have a little more confidence in your product, your time, your labor and make sure you’re pricing that honey and wax and pollination at a fair rate. Don’t be embarrassed to be a beekeeper.
Just some things to think about.
I don’t think our honey bees get anything from Hibiscus, but aren’t they absolutely amazing
flowers. This plant has about 20 buds ready to pop in the next few days.
I hope you are all having a great Summer. We’re finally getting tomatoes and peppers and squash from our gardens. It takes a while here in Northeast Ohio. And the ‘Bee-Bee’ tree that I talk about every year is in full bloom right now and has been for almost a month. The bees are covering it and there is a definite hum in the air when you walk under that tree.
We’re fortunate here in Ohio in that we don’t really have much of a dearth. There is something always blooming from early Spring to October. The goldenrod is just starting to show blossoms so we’re all hoping for a good crop this year.
Other news from Bee Culture land. Nothing stays the same forever. As I told you in the July issue our Amanda DeSimone had a baby girl at the end of May and has been on maternity leave. Well for lots of different reasons Amanda has decided to not return to Bee Culture and to stay home with Lilliana and Anthony who is five now. We are happy for Amanda in that she gets to be with those little ones but we will miss her desperately.
The Bee-Bee tree. Hard to see in the photo but it’s covered with honey bees.
If you’ve been a subscriber for any length of time you’ve probably spoken to or emailed Amanda. She’s been with us for about 10 years. Amanda’s main job was managing all of the details of all of your subscriptions which she did with great expertise. But over and above that she did all of our Social Media ‘stuff’ and worked each year to organize the details of our annual events and our pollinator days and just so much more. And on top of that she made me laugh every day. She’s not going away from my life, but I’ll miss the day to day joy of having her here. Thank you Amanda.
This year is flying by. Schools are already starting and soon it will be Fall. Take time and enjoy the rest of your Summer.
Kathy Summers
