Cape Girardeau County History Center hosts beekeeping presentation

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – Beekeeper Carmen McNeely delivered a presentation on beekeeping at the Cape Girardeau County History Center on Sunday

“I learned so much. I feel like a bee expert now,” Cape Girardeau County Historical Society Director Carla Jordan said. “I think the whole hive thing is kind of a cool way to live life, you know. You feed the queen, you take care of her. Everybody gets along, and you have guardian bees. It’s a very sophisticated culture.” 

McNeely runs Indian Creek Hives out of Jackson and has about 300 hives in a 5-mile radius. 

She said it is challenging but rewarding and important work. 

“We need the bees to pollinate our vegetables, and if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t have the food that we need,” she said.

Attendees learned about the history and process of beekeeping, which McNeely said, as a hobby, has grown in popularity in recent years. 

“There’s kind of been a surge of hobbyists,” she said. “It’s a good hobby that’s helping nature, and honey is so good and so good for you.” 

And Jordan said after today, she may pick up the hobby, as well, but there is a caveat or two to that ambition. 

“I have a greyhound and a yellow lab, and we have a big backyard, but I haven’t quite figured out how to maneuver that yet, but I would definitely do it.”