Act Five

 

Marketing a Lifestyle

 

Scene One: Standing in front of a shinny new greenhouse

 

Voice over:

“The greatest opportunities can sometimes be found in our own backyards. This is true for the small-scale agriculturist who dreams of selling the fruits of his or her labors to an appreciative public. It also applies to communities and even entire states that are looking for ways to diversify their economies”

                                                                      -Lee p. 12

 

Narrator:

            Knowing that there is no way, especially in the beginning, to be completely self-sufficient (not saying that being completely anything is the plan) we needed something  that could  support our transition. We needed something that we would enjoy, can do together, and can be adjusted well to fit our schedules. Knowing this we took our plans from last year (to start a perennial nursery), and tried to give it a practical overhaul.

            Simply selling flowers, as we had considered in the past, now seemed a little optimistic. Our hopes of supplying plants to our own landscaping business still exists, but we have decided to begin with something a little more marketable. So, after going to some farmer's markets and flipping through a few books we have decided to dedicate our first greenhouse to growing potted culinary herbs. (See:Herbal Production Plan in “My Appendix”)

            The greenhouse itself was created using a bow-roof design usually seen as boat houses. The reasons for this decision being this design is said to be effective in areas of heavy snowfall and high winds, can be easily extended, and consists of relatively inexpensive materials. From a local  supply store we acquired 3200sq' of 6 mil polyethylene greenhouse film for $300. Altogether, the greenhouse cost around $400 with lumber and screws included and leaves enough extra plastic for another 50' of addition if we choose to expand.

 

Scene Two: Standing among a field of flowers buzzing with activity

Voice over:

“Yields of many flowering plants can be enhanced if beehives are at the edge of the garden. More thorough pollination results in more harvestable yields per plant. The honey produced by the bees is a desirable natural sweetener for the garden members.”

                                                                     -Lee p. 328

 

Narrator:

             Other than rewarding my personal interest, these little pollinating machines help our flowerbeds and garden. They  are also able to produce another low input, easily marketable product. As it stands now, come May I will be getting my first nuc colony from Kirt Webster, a breeder in Vermont. Though there is a lot of thoughtful considerations and monitoring that goes into managing a healthy, productive hive, the real hard work is somewhat offset by the fascination I seem to have when studying their social structure and natural tendencies.

            It seems the bees and I have something in common. A colony of foraging bees concentrates on one specific plant at a time. “It is only after the nectar flow from that species stops, or another species is discovered by the colony to be offering a richer return, that our bee will change over”(Bonney p.90). I see it as an adaptation that fits well with seasonal change. Instead of being trapped in one job, even if it seems nice in the beginning, one is able to change, or take a break before it begins to feel daunting. It's like having a few open ended jobs going so that you can switch around before beginning to dread another morning's routine. There's nothing more liberating and invigorating than the realization that you are your own boss.

 

Voice over:

“On a continuing basis an area of small diversified farming will usually support more colonies than will one with large acreages of single crops.”

                                                           -Bonney p.91

Narrator:

            In order to minimize another large upfront investment I have decided to skip the need for buying an expensive mechanical extractor for gathering honey. Instead of buying normal honey supers I am looking into cut comb supers (4 3/4” deep as compared to either 6” or 9”). Eating raw honeycomb is a fond memory from my childhood. What's better is that the upfront cost of preparing supers is lowered, as is the chore that comes with a successful harvest. The extracting process is simplified to pulling frames, cutting into 4” squares and selling in small plastic jewel cases.

            Since bees require enough honey and pollen to sustain them through the winter, obviously their needs come first. Only after I am sure that I have a strong, healthy hive with enough food to survive the worst of winter  weather, will I attempt to take anything for myself. As I am starting with a newly developing colony in an unproven location I don't expect to be harvesting the first year. All that I do take will be stored in case early spring inspections show that they have eaten away the in-hive supply and require further feeding.

Voice over:

“A full super is a full super and the result of manipulation of bees by man.”

                                                           -Vivian p.176

Narrator:

            Bees seem to function like any other animal on a small-scale farm. It is a symbiotic relationship where only proper management and care will be conducive to a happy, healthy hive. And only a healthy hive can produce enough honey to last them a winter while still being able to offer some extra in exchange for their care and maintenance.