Bees are the buzz

Apiarists new and old buzzed around like bees at last month’s Tennessee Valley Beekeepers Association meeting.

“That was probably our high mark ever; it was a really good turnout,” said the association’s media director, Tyler Smith. So many people showed up — 35 to 40, Mr. Smith estimated — several remained standing.

Perhaps the motivation comes from economic struggle or environmental concerns, but local folks seem more interested than ever in gardening, farming and beekeeping.

Nine new community gardens are being supported by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department with community partners this year. Several restaurants, such as The Terminal BrewHouse downtown, have added green roofs with food crops.

Baylor School on the North Shore and Greenbriar Cove retirement community in Ooltewah will be growing some of their food this year.

Good gardens need excellent pollination, Mr. Smith said.

Besides European honeybees, bats, bumblebees, native bees and wasps will pollinate garden crops.

But gardeners historically danced with honeybees “because they are the only pollinators we can control. And they produce honey. It’s a win-win situation.”

Mr. Smith said interest is waxing due to the recent reorganization of the local beekeeping association, events such as the Honey Harvest at the Creative Discovery Museum last summer and the beginning beekeeping class offered next month.

“Now people have a channel to funnel their interest in beekeeping and become part of a bee community,” he added. “I think a lot of people are responding because the association is available and organized.”