A beekeeper from Indiana has explained why 2023 had been a year of refocusing on what apiculture is all about for her family.
Katie and Ron Ray co-manage ARK Hive Apiary, a 20-hive honey farm in the small town of Trafalgar in the US State of Indiana.
However, the couple also engage in Hives for Heroes, a non-profit organisation which works on providing veterans with a “healthy transition” from service. The organisation has reportedly managed to get more than 4,100 people on board to manage over 51,000 hives.
Katie told NewsX of which the Bee News community is a part: “In the past year, we tried to get back to the reason we started. We kept our main focus firmly planted in our love for bees and the community found in beekeeping and Hives for Heroes. We did not worry if that appeared as a lack of forward motion.”
Speaking about what was different for her in 2023, Katie said: “I was able to assist Ron on several cut-outs and honeybee rescues.”
She explained: “Years prior, I had only helped rehabilitate the bees once they were at our apiary. It was amazing to open up walls, ceilings or awnings and see the buzz of the hidden colonies up close, help to preserve their resources and secure their queen.”
Katie and Ron were introduced to beekeeping by friends from their local church. Their honey farm’s name derives from the first letters of their sons Atticus, Rowan and Killian who are aged between seven and 15.
At the ARK Hive Apiary, there is not just honey on offer but also products such as beeswax lotion and lip balm.
In 2023, Ron and Katie decided to open their apiary to the public. Reflecting on this novelty, Katie told NewsX: “On Sundays from 1 to 5 pm, anyone in the area who wanted to learn more about beekeeping was welcome.”
Due to the strong interest in their activity, the Rays plan to reintroduce this initiative later this year.
