Beekeeping, or “apiculture”, is at least as old as the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. In permaculture, they’re an example of a feature that neatly stacks functions: they produce delicious honey, useful wax, and are incredibly useful pollinators. Keeping bees seems like a daunting task, but there’s a store in Sebastopol that can help: Beekind.

Beekind at 921 Gravenstein Highway South

Beekind carries everything for the modern beekeeper, including bees, hives, tools and gear, and more. Of course, you can also purchase bee products made of honey and wax. They have everything you can think of for making your own candles and health and wellness products, too. This is actually a great place to find bottles, jars, tins, and other containers for your home medicinal projects.

But Beekind doesn’t just sell you a product and send you on your way. No, Beekind offers classes on beekeeping (many of them free) to help you get started with your own hives. And they’re supporters of Partners for Sustainable Pollination.

So check those class schedules now and think about adding apiculture to your permaculture design this spring!

Link: Beekind.