Why Bees Are Essential

Bees are part of the biodiversity on which we all depend for our survival. When animals and insects pick up the pollen of flowers and spread it, they allow plants, including many food crops, to reproduce. But sadly, bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.These pollinators contribute directly to food security and in addition to making honey, our bees help secure the successful production of many of our favorite crops, like apples, peaches and the tomatoes. 

Here at Maitri Farm we strive to follow agricultural practices that encourage and cultivate the presence of our honey bees and other native pollinators and we participate in conservation programs that support the protection and development of native species spaces.

The Keeper: With a passion for nurturing healthy hives, Max Cudney from Cudney Family Apiaries, has been an invaluable resource in not only maintaining the healthy bee hives on our farm but his work has helped our burgeoning orchard roar back into health and fruitful production. A longstanding member of the community, when not working in our orchard he can often be found taking care of the hives of our neighbors.

What to do if you have a swarm. Visit this link.

  • Maitri Farm Honey Bees

    Don't Fear the Fungus!

    There’s a small pocket of woods on the farm, tucked along the western property line, full of hickory, black walnut, maples and oak trees. Using precise harvests of our native oaks we  began growing a selection of oyster and shiitake mushrooms and in summer of 2024 our “mushroom henge”, constructed of more than 50 mushroom spore colonized logs, was established along side of the trail that meanders through our little patch of trees. Here we have the space to continue to add more logs and enjoy more mushrooms year after year.

  • I am the Lorax: I speak for the trees…

    Shortly after the purchase of the property a small orchard of mixed fruit trees, including multiple species of apples, pears, plums and peaches, was planted on just over an acre fronting the street.  These are the trees to the right just as you come through the gates onto the farm. In 2022 we reestablished a pruning regime and the year after that we created a Plant Health Care Program in order to manage insects, disease and mites, all to organic standards. Our annual pruning is performed in February when the trees are dormant and with the aim to keep them at a size we can manage with our small crew.  Our efforts have begun paying off with healthy trees just starting to reward us with new growth and delicious fruit. In 2024 over 3100 pounds of fruit was grown for sale and nearly half of that was donated to support our local food access programs.

    Additionally, our honey bee colonies, which are located deep within the orchard, thrive off of the abundance of spring and summer fruit tree blooms available a brief flight from their homes.  Be sure to enjoy this in the light, early summer honey we get from the hives.