Welcome to Sasserfrass Hill Bee Farms (SHBF). My name is Deborah Sasser and I am a new beekeeper. I am very excited to have discovered this charming hobby. Also, the ability to help Nature's tiny unsung heroes: the honeybees.

They are an important and vital part of our ecosystem.

Honeybees are the only insects that provide an important food for man. To make just one teaspoon of honey a bee must travel an average of 778 miles and visit more than 40,000 flowers. It is amazing when you stop and think of the work involved in a bee’s sweet honey.

One of our goals at SHBF is to raise awareness of the plight facing the honeybee. The honeybee population is disappearing at an alarming rate. According to scientists, the honeybee population has declined by 50 percent over the last 50 years. This is due to habitat loss, the presence and use of pesticides, introduction of exotic parasites and poor nutrition.

The bees are literally starving. We can all help by planting blooming trees, shrubs and flowers that produce nectar and pollen for them to feed on.

Another facet of the honeybee is in its ability to assist in human allergies. If you have allergies, eating honey that is local to your area may prevent or decrease your seasonal allergies. People believe it is because the honey helps you build a tolerance by slowly (and tastefully) introducing ones system to local pollens.

The science is really quite simple: bees use the pollen from local plants and eventually it ends up in the honey.

Honey contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The ingredients in both honey and pollen also make wonderful beauty aids. It is found to nourish skin and hair.

Honey also acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Its properties help disinfect and speed the healing process in wounds, scrapes and burns.

To see more of the going-ons at SHBF visit our blog: sasserfrasshill.blogspot.com

"Bee" sure to check out our pages on Bee Venom Therapy (BVT)

There you can learn about the use of bee stings as a complimentary alternative treatment. There is a documentary SHBF produced on how BVT is helping patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, and other health issues.

Up next swarming and the spring honey season!

Bee Well…