I’m excited to announce that this August I will be participating in a five day seminar called “Native Bees as Pollinators: Diversity, Ecology, Conservation and Enhancing Pollinator Habitats” at the Eagle Hill Institute in Steuben, Maine!
Blog
Maintaining your garden tools
It’s this time of year, when we’re thinking about gardening but it’s still too early to get down and dirty, that I take the time to perform some TLC on my garden tools. I know of many gardeners who never even think about it, but it really is another crucial part of your annual preparations….
Bootstrap farmers
Well folks it looks like Runamuk will continue to bootstrap it’s way into business. 20 years ago we could have easily gotten a loan for our start-up venture, but the game has changed and investors today want to see that you can start a business with nothing before they’ll give you money. My business counselor…
The start of a new era
Things are moving forward at the future site of the Runamuk Acres diversified farm, in preparation for our new beginnings. After much deliberation and–at times–heated debate–Keith and I hired a team of local loggers to do some careful thinning of this un-kempt forest in preparation of our upcoming endeavors.
How to make your own laundry soap
If you’ve never made your own laundry soap you don’t know what you’re missing. The laundry soaps that are available commercially are expensive, and filled with ingredients that I’m not even going to attempt to pronounce. This laundry soap is very economical and simple to make. It works just as well as anything you’ll buy…
Beekeeping for beginners
Bee-school is new to this region of Maine. Before the Somerset Beekeepers were established 2 years ago folks had to travel to Rumford or Albion for any sort of beekeeper education. But now we have our annual bee-school, offered by the Somerset Beekeepers and hosted by the Somerset Cooperative Extension in Skowhegan.
I’ll be back!
It’s been a while since I last posted, and I don’t have the time to do it now, either. But for those of you who might follow this blog on a regular basis, I just wanted to give you a brief up-date. Runamuk is in hot pursuit of a loan so that we can establish…
Talking pollinators with the Somerset master gardeners
Last night I had the privilege of speaking to a group of my peers, the master gardeners of Somerset County. It was an informal pot-luck dinner for the alumni that the folks at the extension office organized to thank those who gathered for their time and dedication. I was honored that Kathy Hopkins and Tom…
What are the benefits of using beeswax?
Since man first began robbing bee-trees for honey, beeswax has been a highly prized commodity treasured for it’s many uses and healthful benefits. Beeswax is utilitarian, medicinal, and beautifying. Beeswax through the ages Both ancient Egyptians and Persians used beeswax when embalming the dead. When they conquered Corsica in 181 BC, the Romans demanded…
Feeding bees non-GMO sugar
There are a good number of beekeepers who object to feeding bees sugar. And I completely understand their objections. Sugar is essentially the equivalent of feeding your bees a steady diet of twinkies. It causes a number of health issues. Add to that the fact that mainstream sugar is produced from genetically modified sugar beets,…