
Mid-Summer Hive Check: Holding Strong After the Swarm It started as an ordinary spring afternoon. Tom had just shut off the tractor, and we were standing in the garden, mapping out where the zucchini and cucumbers would go. The bees were buzzing—not unusual with the hive nearby—but the sound was growing louder. Then, all at…

MINO Knock ‘Em Dead has his first calves on the ground—and they’re turning heads. We’ve got six so far, and early results show strong growth, calm temperaments, and a consistent stamp. Not bad for a cleanup bull.

The pastures are thriving, the fields are soaked, and Tom is pacing the porch waiting for a dry window. Meanwhile, the cows are belly-deep in lush grass and the bees are buzzing! We’re sharing updates on grazing rotation, soggy summer chores, and a sneak peek at our up-and-coming heifers.

This time last year, we stood in the middle of the pasture watching the sun bake the grass into a crunchy, brown, dead state. But, what a different a year and rain has made!

After losing both hives in our first year of beekeeping, we conducted a hive autopsy and discovered that lack of food and slow colony growth led to their demise. We plan to feed the hives more and sooner, and educate ourselves on hive diseases to prepare for the upcoming season. Despite the setbacks, we remain…