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)

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Brookfield Farm Bee Yards, Honey | Tagged 55 gallon, barrel, Brookfield Farm, hoist, honey, Maple Falls, moving, Washington | Leave a comment

Solstice 2017 – not much about bees

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Brookfield Farm Bee Yards | Leave a comment

Fireweed: a lovely plant, a delicious honey

Posted on December 9, 2017 by Bean

“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 →

Posted in Honey | 4 Comments

Beekeeping After Hip Replacement Surgery

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Beekeeping | Tagged Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, hip replacemet, Maple Falls, Washington | 6 Comments

Hiving A Swarm Post Hip Replacement Surgery

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Bean

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bees, Brookfield Farm, hip replacemet, hive, honey, Maple Falls, swarm, Washington | 2 Comments

The Longest Winter

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bee, bees, Brookfield Farm, hives, Maple Falls, snow, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Close Hives : Differernt Honeys

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Honey | Tagged Arlington, Brookfield Farm, honey, Maple Falls, northwest queens, Styles, Washington | Leave a comment

2016 A Year To Forget

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Spring Beehive Tidy And Preparation 2016

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm Bee Yards, Hive Components | Tagged Beekeeping, bees, boxes, Brookfield Farm, flipping, hive, how to, manipulation, Maple Falls, spring, Washington | Leave a comment

Post-Winter Hive Check 2016

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Bean

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 →

Posted in Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm Bee Yards, Feeding Bees | Tagged bee, Beekeeping, bees, brood, Brookfield Farm, check up, dead outs, hive, honeybees, Maple Falls, pollen, post winter, Washington | Leave a comment