In September 2009, Candace Minster traveled to Carrolton, Ill. to Spikenard Farm to purchase two colonies of honeybees from holistic beekeeper, Gunther Hawke.

We enjoyed 18 jars of honey in 2009. We’re hoping and praying that all of our colonies make it through this very chilly winter!

You can help support our chemical-free bee program by adopting a hive. Adoption funds help us maintain our current hives and expand this program’s educational impact.

More than honey

The beehives at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice exist for more than producing honey.

Honey bees perform a vital second function — pollination. About one-third of the human diet is derived from insect pollinated plants. Honey bees are responsible for 80 percent of this pollination.

White Violet Center currently has three hives and hopes to have a total of five hives by the end of 2009 and seven by the end of 2010, said Candace Minster, White Violet Center beekeeper.

Bees have been weakened from chemicals on farmlands, but everything grown at White Violet Center is Indiana certified organic — chemical-free.

Beekeeper Candace Minster tends to the bees at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

For more information about our bee project or how you can help, contact Candace Minster at cminster@spsmw.org or 812-535-2935.