Howell Living History Farm’s three colonies of honeybees will take a break from their busy schedules on Saturday, April 8, when Bob Hughes stops by for his annual spring visit.
Hughes, a professional beekeeper, will open the hives to give the bees a complete health check, medicate the colony and make sure that the queens, drones and worker bees are properly equipped for manufacturing honey. He will also inspect a hive that was damaged when a bear paid a visit to the bee yard last fall.
Visitors to the farm can watch the beekeeper at work from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at the hives, and join him in the Visitor Center at 2:30 for an hour-long presentation, “Life of a Bee Colony.”
Throughout the day, children can also assemble beehives for housing a colony, try on a beekeeper’s suit and learn about beekeepers’ tools and equipment.
Howell Farm is located at 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Admission is to the beekeeping event is free. For more information visit mercercountyparks.org.
Howell Living History Farm’s bees work to produce homemade honey in Mercer County.,
