Author Archives: Bean

About Bean

I am the beekeeper at Brookfield Farm Bees And Honey, near Maple Falls, Washington. My bees fly from naturally treated, antibiotic-free hives in the foothills of Mt. Baker (the second most glaciated volcano in Washington). I sell the raw honey my bees make, as well as honey produced by Washington beekeepers who are friends - the emphasis is on raw honey from naturally treated, antibiotic-free hives. I also make and sell Beeswax Salves. You can find me at the Ballard Farmers' Market in Seattle on Sundays from 10-3. When not with the bees, you'll most likely meet me up some mountain trail, pinhole camera and digital camera slung over my shoulders, and my pack goats trailing behind me.

A new barrel hoist (photos from last summer)

Well, here it is new years day, too cold for both the bees and me.  So it’s “catch up” time from last summer’s events.  There just never seems to be the time to post in the middle of summer work.  … Continue reading

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Solstice 2017 – not much about bees

Happy Solstice to all from Brookfield Farm Bees And Honey here in Maple Falls, Washington.  The entire family gets behind the return of longer days here in the Cascade foothills.  To celebrate most of us go for a walk in … Continue reading

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Fireweed: a lovely plant, a delicious honey

“Fireweed, what is it?” I get asked this question quite often at my booth at the Ballard Farmers Market in Seattle. Usually when someone is holding one of the two raw fireweed honeys we have on the table: A fireweed/snowberry … Continue reading

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Beekeeping After Hip Replacement Surgery

In June of this year, I had my left hip replaced. I like to think of it as a rebuilt: my truck is on its second engine, I’m on my second hip. Now I can think of it with pleasure, … Continue reading

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Hiving A Swarm Post Hip Replacement Surgery

Five weeks out of hip replacement surgery and the bees swarmed.  A potential disaster that is shaping up to be just fine.                                     … Continue reading

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The Longest Winter

It’s been a long winter here in the mountains in the northwest corner of the lower 48 states. It started snowing the first week of December and has just recently stopped. We did have a 1 ½ week break where … Continue reading

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Close Hives : Differernt Honeys

I am labeling honey to take to the Seattle’s Ballard Farmers Market, where I have a booth every Sunday 10-3. When I got to the fabulous honey from my friend Mark at Northwest Queens, in Arlington, Washington, I realized I … Continue reading

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2016 A Year To Forget

I’m back. I have been away from the blog world for a while. 2015 was not a good year personally or bee-wise. At the moment it is snowing, so not a lot to talk about regarding the bees. Please do … Continue reading

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Spring Beehive Tidy And Preparation 2016

Spring has arrived in Whatcom County Washington (the northwest corner of Washington state). It has arrived two weeks earlier than last year, which was early as well. The sun and flowers emerge fast on the heels of a very web … Continue reading

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Post-Winter Hive Check 2016

We had some clear weather at the end of February, and I took advantage of it to check the hives.   For the record, Brookfield Farm Bees And Honey had a 13% loss of beehives from September to March. I’m … Continue reading

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