We’ve seen a growing interest in bees over the last half-year. Whether that interest be honeycomb inspired lighting design or bee costume parties, shamelessly we can say, there is a buzz. The latest drip in the honey pot (ok, ok, enough with the puns) is Ballard Bee Company in Seattle, Washington. The brands owner Corky Luster has taken a novel approach to solving the Achilles heel of urban farming: lack of space. Instead of cutting away housing or clearing out a vacant lot to house his 60 on-site bee hives, Luster crafted a business plan that not only allows him to continue to make his honey, but help his fellow man in the process. Luster places the beehives through out his neighborhood in backyards and side lots, while maintains the beehives, tending to them with the touch of an artist and extracting the honey to bottle and sell to specialty shops on the west coast. In return, the “hive sponsors” are gifted with raw, unfiltered purest of pure honey for the use of their property. This is a pitch perfect example of the Lowe Counsel Pastoral Life study in full swing. Barter culture, urban farming, artisanal craftsmanship and small-scale production . . . . Check, check, check and check!

All in all, it’s a pretty sweet deal (sorry, that one slipped in there).

Links to consider: http://www.ballardbeecompany.com/Ballard_Bee_Company/Welcome.html