It’s New Year’s Eve 2020 and I’m finally writing an update. I know, I know…right on top of all things involving technology, as usual.

What can I say about 2020? Rather than dive into all of the obvious bad things that are taking place, I’d like to reflect on some of the good.

This spring I put down the hammer and kept my hive tool in hand- meaning I wasn’t roofing, I was beekeeping full time. Perfect time to be a stay-at-home beekeeper, with the covid running wild and all. Let me tell you- it’s a lot of hard work! By mid-summer I was managing around 50 colonies.

Some first-time experiences happened along the way. Including-rescuing a colony that had taken up residence in a camper, catching a swarm 30 ft. up in a tree, finally having success catching a feral swarm in one of my swarm traps, and rescuing an eastern hog-nosed snake that was caught in some chicken wire fencing!

Crops did well, especially our pumpkins and other squashes. Popcorn was 10 ft. tall! We added a few egg-layers to the flock and now have our first rooster. His name is Radar and we’re glad to have him around. Also, we raised meat chickens(Red Ranger Broilers) for the first time. I get so attached to any critter I care for and it made the butchering part a little saddening. However, we are meat-eaters and there’s a certain peace of mind knowing exactly where our food comes from and how it was cared for. They had a good life…and they’re frickin’ tasty!

Now that we finally have a surplus of honey, we will be making an effort to distribute to more locations. For now, you can purchase it from one of us when you see us, or stop by Oak Openings Pottery and pick some up…and buy some amazing pottery while you’re there! If you have a retail location and would like to carry our products, email me – info@wellskeptfarm.com.

Finally…I’d like to raise a glass to everyone who has listened to science, and not our so-called leaders in denial during these trying times. Many lives have been lost that didn’t have to be. Before you get all politically huffy and puffy- I’m not a republican or a democrat, just someone who tracks the truth and believes in science. Thank you healthcare workers, grocery store employees, etc. Wearing a mask and social distancing is not that hard to do. Those of you claiming your “freedoms” are being taken away have obviously never been to North Korea.

Here’s to a better year and hopefully a mass awakening….CHEERS!

Steve