The bees travel from Minnesota in the fall, to California in the winter, and back to Minnesota, just in time to see the snow melt in April. check out a quick snip-it from the arrival back to the ranch in spring of 201, published by the Grand Rapids, Herald Review.

in 2017 Bar Bell Bee Ranch was named the University of Minnesota’s Farm Family of the year, Check out the buzz, and what an honor like this means for a family run farm.

The Grand Rapids Herald Review published an article about the history of Bar Bell Bee Ranch and the business of the bees. This has a fantastic history summary of the founding of Bar Bell Bee Ranch and why bees are our passion.

The Duluth News tribune interviewed ed in early 2000 about Colony collapse, an older interview, but informative about the realities of honey bee support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what are the different varieties of honey and how are they made?

A: If there is a floral / nectar source there can be a variety of honey; however as a bee keeper, we do not always harvest all honey. Check out the National Honey Board LINKED HERE for more information on this process, it is as complex as it gives beautiful results. 

Q: where do the bees go during the minnesota winter?

A: Bar Bell Bee Ranch sends the bees to the Central Valley of California; Los Banos. We have entrusted a bee broker to assist with the arrival and placement of our bees in holding yards, and into almond orchards, when the time comes. There are bee keepers that winterize their bees, and even Bar Bell Bee holds a few hives back; specifically the top bar hive, it is kept in a warm, dry place away from the elements. LINKED HERE is more information about how to successfully winterize hives. 

Q: how can I use honey in my every day life?

A: Honey by itself has endless uses; not just as a spread on toast or a sweetener in tea, but also as a beauty product ingredient, health supplement and nearly complete replacement for refined sugar! LINKED HERE is a honey converter; make the switch today and your body with thank you. A few ways we like to use honey in our house include;

• Crackers and cheese

• Melted with peanut butter and drizzled on popcorn

• Replacing sugar in our jams, jellies, and even pickled beets

• As a sweetener in our coffee and sun brewed ice teas

• Slathered on salmon, a pork loin or sweet potatoes and grilled to perfection

Q: Whats the difference between Processed and Raw Honey?

A: Processed honey is heated to 140 degrees to a liquid state and filtered. Typically staying liquid while on the shelf; unless over time the honey crystalizes, which does not mean that it is spoiled, simply heat up water, put the bottle in the warm water and watch the honey return to the liquid state. If you have liquid honey that you just aren't using fast enough, you can freeze it and it will stay liquid. Raw / Unprocessed honey, sometimes referred to as creamed honey, is in a fine, creamy, sometimes hard, crystalized state. Similar to spreadable butter, this can be uses in the same ways as liquid honey however its easy to spread on toast and crackers!