MUNCIE, Ind. — Only 20 minutes outside of Muncie lie almost 55 honey bee hives. With a passion for honey, Mike Stine knew from the start that he wanted to grow his business.
“I started this just to pollinate my garden, started two hives, and I really enjoyed it,” Stine, the owner, stated.
The idea of starting with only two beehives to help his garden evolved into a full-blown interest in sharing his home with almost 60,000 honeybees. Stine had to figure out his own way of being companions with them.
“They can sense if you are afraid of them. I am not, I have got some hives I wouldn't be afraid to get in without a suit, I don't, but I wouldn't be afraid to,” Stine explained.
Having a relationship with bees is sacred; it takes consistency and support to be someone they can trust. Mike wants to support his bees in what they do best. Honeybees are extremely hard workers, but they also completely transform our environment.
“I put a lot of hours in. I mean, I go in when I get home in the evening, I start, and all evening cause you have to inspect every hive in the spring,” Stine said.
Mike has also taken advantage of some beekeepers' advice, but explains how everyone does it differently.
“I listen to different people, but you may not do it exactly like they do it, but it gives you options,” Stine explained.
Mike’s local honey is made right from the source, just a few feet away from his house.
Contact Mira Bloomer with comments at mira.bloomer@bsu.edu.
