Day in the Bee Yard Event

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The "Day in the Bee Yard" event held in Estero, Florida was advertised as  part of the Florida State Beekeepers annual convention to educate the public about bees. It cost $15 to attend the event and was supposed to have multiple sessions both inside and outside to include hive assemblies, bee beards, wax processing and refining, candle making, honey production and honey products.

Unfortunately, the event was disorganized and disappointing. Attendees were on their own to find a session to attend and most of the live demonstrations (the only reason to attend) advertised were canceled. If you're looking for bee or beekeeping information, use the Internet.

 

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Honey bees are a critical part of agriculture and without the honey bees' pollination, many crops would be significantly reduced or even non existent. Major crops that rely on this pollination include almonds, apples, avocado, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, honeydews, kiwi fruit, pears, plums and watermelon.

While honey bee pollination occurs naturally, special efforts are needed for commercial crop production and many professional beekeepers move their hives from state to state. Although honey is produced in every state, California, Florida, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota lead the nation in commercial honey production so beekeepers crisscross the nation with their hives to these states.

Parksdale Farm Market

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Parksdale Farm Market in Plant City, Florida (exit #17 from I-4) is famous for its strawberry shortcake available January through April. It's also a great place to visit year round and offers seasonal produce, citrus, jams and jellies, honey, gifts, and plants.

The market began in 1956 when company founder R.E. (Roy) Parke, Jr. (an immigrant from Northern Ireland) moved from Pennsylvania to Plant City, FL. He saw a great opportunity to grow winter crops including strawberries and the family eventually expanded the farm into hundreds of acres and added their own plant nurseries and greenhouses. Roy’s daughter Cheryl and her husband Jim Meeks opened the Parkesdale Farm Market in 1969 and it is still going strong.

The market is located at 3702 West Baker Street, Plant City, Florida and is open 7 days a week from 9 am – 6 pm.