Jerry and Tanya Sumerel oral history interview, 2019 March 13
Description
Jerry and Tanya Sumerel are the owners of Honeysuckle Hill Bee Farm in Concord, North Carolina. They share the story of how Mr. Sumerel discovered apiary and fell in love with beekeeping. Mr. Sumerel describes the day-to-day activities of beekeeping, in on and off season, and what to look for when you check a beehive frame. He reveals the vulnerability of honey bees, how the weather affects honey output, and the importance of the honeycomb. Mr. Sumerel explains the threat of extinction and how honey bees are threatened by the Varroa mite and insecticide (Neonicotinoid). Mr. and Mrs. Sumerel discuss the production of honey, raising a queen, and the benefits of honey, pollen, and bee stings in medicine. They end the interview by commenting on the future of Honeysuckle Hill Bee Farm and the future of farming in Charlotte and Concord.
