As I get older, it seems the years are flying by. For it seems like just yesterday that we were shipping our bees off to California, as we do every January, to aid in pollination for local farmers. About the middle of March, the bees are returned. It is then that the spring work begins. We start by treating the bees for mites and dusting with Tylan. This year we seem to be getting ahead on keeping the mites under control, and then the race is on to make up the losses for the year.
     Our honey flow starts trickling in about mid-April. This year the bees did exceptionally well on the clover and vetch crops. Our honey production was significantly increased from the previous year’s harvest. Early summer we process honey and ship bees to South Dakota where yellow/white clover and alfalfa honey are made.
     We extract our honey as soon as possible, trying to stay one step ahead of the hive beetles. After the honey crop is harvested, it is prepared for storage until it is bottled and packaged.   
     Our honey packaging process is becoming more and more efficient and we are gaining new clientele all the time. We are thankful that the honey crop production has increased because in the past, I was forced to purchase additional barrels of honey, making it difficult to make a profit.
     Even though time is flying by, I am reminded daily that I am truly blessed to be successful in something I truly love. God Bless.
Best Regards,
Randy Johnson
Johnson Honey & Bee Farm - Paris, TX.