In celebration of Pollinator Week (June 20th to 26th), we are highlighting a local business that is a friend to pollinators. Located on the western side of Cayuga lake, Bright Raven Farm & Apiary cares for over 80 hives and produces local, raw, varietal honey. They have spent twenty years rejuvenating their land’s soil, and after intentional, ecologically-sound farming practices including cover cropping, compost, and crop rotations, the soil is once again alive and rich, so they are now actively managing the property to increase and enhance pollinator habitat. By planting species that are important pollen and nectar sources, they help to provide the food and nutrition needed by honey bees and other pollinators such as monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and native bees!
Visit their farm store: “The Honeybee Embassy” to see their honeys, soaps, lip balms, artisan products, and various drinks featuring their honey; you can also try a guided honey tasting!
The featured photograph was taken by our Outreach Coordinator, Sarah Nickerson!