Author: Sarah Whitmore
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Selling Honey at a Farmers Market: What I Learned the Hard Way
After five seasons selling at farmers markets, here’s what actually moves jars — from booth setup and sampling strategy to handling slow days and repeat customers.
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Honey Extraction: Crush-and-Strain vs. Extractor vs. Comb Honey
A practical breakdown of the three main honey extraction methods — crush-and-strain, radial extractor, and comb honey — so you can choose what fits your operation.
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Spotting American Foulbrood Before It Wipes Out Your Apiary
Learn the visual signs of American Foulbrood — from sunken cappings to the definitive ropiness test — and what to do if you find it.
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Feeding Bees Sugar Syrup: Ratios, Timing, and Common Mistakes
Learn when and how to feed bees sugar syrup, which ratio to use in spring vs. fall, and the mistakes that can hurt your colony instead of helping it.
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The Beekeeping Gear You Actually Need to Start (and What You Can Skip)
A practical breakdown of which beekeeping gear is truly essential for beginners and which expensive gadgets you can safely skip in year one.
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How to Price Your Honey (Without Underselling Yourself)
Honey pricing is one of the hardest parts of running an apiary business — here’s how to calculate your true costs and charge what your honey is worth.
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When to Harvest Honey: Reading Frames Like a Pro
Learn how to read honeycomb frames like an experienced beekeeper to know exactly when your honey is ready to harvest without risking fermentation.
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The Varroa Mite Treatment Guide I Wish I Had in Year One
A practical guide to monitoring varroa mite loads, choosing the right treatment method, and timing treatments to protect your winter bees.
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The Spring Hive Inspection Checklist I Use Every Year
A detailed spring inspection checklist covering brood patterns, queen status, mite counts, and colony population to set your hives up for a strong season.
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How to Set Up Your First Beehive: A Practical Walkthrough
A step-by-step walkthrough for assembling, placing, and stocking your first Langstroth beehive — from equipment prep to your first inspection.