Hansel Hill Farm Bees Are Buzzing With Purpose
When people visit the farm, they’re usually drawn in by the animals—the goats, the pigs, the chickens. I get it. They’re cute, chaotic, and full of personality. But if you really want to understand the heartbeat of this place, listen closely… not to the clucks or bleats, but to the hum.
That gentle buzzing you’re hearing? That’s the sound of work, of purpose. That’s the sound of the bees.
I knew they were vital to the environment, but beekeeping has truly humbled us. What began as a practical decision to support our crops and pollination turned into something far more personal. Our first experience bringing bees home was a wild one. I still remember holding that first frame for 356 seconds (yes, I counted).
These tiny creatures do more in a day than I could dream of doing in a week. The harmony that has each one working together as one unit is really a breathtaking experience to observe. The complexity of such a small insect is really mind blowing. Even today, the research on bees that us humans have done, they’re are still so many mysterious things about bees that we just don’t understand.
They pollinate the plants that feed our animals and grow our fruits and vegetables. They give us honey—yes—but they give us life, too. They’ve taught me patience, balance, and the quiet power of working for the greater good.
Beekeeping Is Bigger Than Honey
A lot of folks think of bees and immediately picture a sticky jar of honey or the need for an epi-pen nearby. And while I won’t lie, our honey is delicious, that’s just the tip of the hive.
Our bees pollinate nearly everything we grow here at Hansel Hill Farm. Without them, the flowers wouldn’t bloom, the vegetables wouldn’t thrive, and the fruit trees wouldn’t bear fruit. It’s easy to forget how interconnected everything is until you spend a season watching a hive work. The bees don’t ask for much, just a little space, a little sun, and a few good blooms. But what they give back is immeasurable.
At Hansel Hill Farm, our beekeeping is more than just raising bees. We’re preserving balance. And we take that responsibility seriously. We also want to help people take the plunge and start a colony of their own one day. It was so scary at first. What I would have given to have an experienced beekeeper near me to keep us calm. We’re three years into this journey, and we still have so much to learn. However, the more we learn, the less scary it becomes, and the more we enjoy it.
The bees feel like part of our family, just like the animals. We feel like we are part of the colony and it really feels amazing to be doing something so important for the planet, and to see the immediate return on investment. We have lived here for almost 5 years. The first year, we didn’t have bees. The second year, with the addition of bees, our trees produced double. We had more strawberries. We had more of everything. Even the neighbors noticed how much more their gardens were yielding.
From Hive To Jar… How We Make Our Honey
Our honey is local, raw, and made right here on the farm (with the help of hives at Maryland Sunrise Farm) by bees who forage from wildflowers, herbs, and crops across our land. We harvest just enough to share, leaving plenty for the bees to use through the colder months. We don’t heat-treat it or blend it. We bottle it gently, by hand, so that what you taste is exactly what the bees created.
And if you’ve never tasted honey straight from the comb, still warm from the sun, you’re missing out on one of nature’s purest pleasures. There’s something spiritual about it. You can taste the wildness, the effort, the alchemy of it all.
Curious About Beekeeping?
If you’re doing a google search on beekeeping classes near me for beginners, you’re in the right place. We don’t keep bees behind closed doors. Whether you’re a homeschooler visiting with your group, a scout working toward a badge, or just a curious adult at our day camp, I love introducing people to these amazing creatures.
Some of the hands-on things we offer:
Try on a real bee suit and peek inside a working hive (or observe a hive up close, behind a pane of glass)
Learn how to spot the queen and understand her role
Watch the waggle dance, how bees tell each other where to go
See nectar transform into honey, wax, and comb
Discover which flowers to plant to help your neighborhood bees thrive
Bees teach us patience, precision, and cooperation. Every time I walk someone through the basics of beekeeping, I watch them walk away with more awe than they arrived with. And if I can spark just one new beekeeper or pollinator advocate? That’s a win for the whole planet.
Not A Beekeeper? You Can Still Help
Even if you’ve never worn a bee suit or held a hive tool, there’s still plenty you can do to support pollinators, especially if you’ve been searching for ways to help without becoming a beekeeper yourself.
Plant native wildflowers and herbs
Bees rely on a diverse, steady food supply. Even if you're just starting out with a few pots on a patio, adding things like lavender, bee balm, echinacea, and thyme helps feed the local pollinators. Many of these are low-maintenance and perfect for beginners, especially those curious about beekeeping but not quite ready to commit.
Avoid pesticides, especially during blooming seasons
Pesticides and herbicides don’t just harm the “bad bugs”—they can affect your neighborhood bees too. We always encourage our visitors to go the natural route whenever possible. Every yard managed with care helps keep our bees strong.
Provide a safe water source
Bees need water to regulate their hive and digest food. Just fill a shallow dish with fresh water and add a few pebbles for landing spots. It’s one of the easiest things a beginner can do to help their local pollinators thrive—no hive required.
Support local beekeepers by purchasing their honey
When you search for “local honey near me” and choose a nearby farm, you’re doing more than sweetening your tea. You’re keeping hives healthy, supporting small agriculture, and getting honey that hasn’t been ultra-filtered or heat-treated. Our honey is raw, wild, and harvested with love.
Educate the next generation
Bees often get lumped in with bugs kids are taught to fear. But bees are gentle, purposeful, and essential. When children understand this, they grow up to become protectors, not squashers. If you ever visit our farm, we have classes that range from 15 minutes for the little ones, to a full two day session on beekeeping. We’d love to introduce your little ones to the magic of bees up close.
Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier environment for bees and, by extension, all of us.
Thinking About Becoming a Beekeeper?
If this whole world of bees has you buzzing with curiosity, I say lean into it! Beekeeping has been one of the most rewarding (and humbling) parts of my farm journey. Whether you’re starting with a book, a class, or just a deep dive online, there are so many great ways to begin.
One excellent place to start is this 15-tip guide for new beekeepers by The Nature of Home.
It walks you through the basics; everything from gear and hive setup to understanding bee behavior. If you're looking for advice that’s clear, encouraging, and perfect for folks just starting out, I really recommend it.
We also recommend joining the Anne Arundel County Beekeepers Association (AABA) and learning with educated beekeepers for at least a year before you start your journey. There is only so much you can learn in a book. AABA gives you the gift of master beekeepers who provide hands-on learning through experience.
And if you ever want to see beekeeping in action, come visit us during one of our Adult Day Camps or scout badge sessions. We’ve got suits, bees, and stories to share.
Why Hansel Hill Farm Will Always Keep Hives
I’ve been stung. I’ve lost colonies. I’ve cried over bees. I cheered when the queen returned. And I’ve had days where I stood quietly near the hives, coffee in hand, and felt like I was witnessing a miracle.
Beekeeping isn’t just a job on the farm. It’s one of the most sacred things I do.
So the next time you visit Hansel Hill Farm and hear that steady buzz near the edge of the field, know that it’s not just noise. It’s music. It’s math. It's a movement. It’s a thousand wings carrying the weight of the world—gracefully, quietly, purposefully.
And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
