National Zoo wants your honey recipes, poems

I'm not saying they *couldn't* be one and the same, but the National Zoo, in honor of its new honeybee colony, is seeking your favorite honey recipes and your original poetry about honey. Certainly, an exquisite recipe could be poetry for the palate.

Beyond the Hive: What's on your food?

A new, searchable website offers information on the types of pesticides that can be found on food. We already know that some experts link such chemicals to bee problems; it would not be too much of a leap to find links to human health problems, as well.

Ohio beekeeper feature story

Here's a feature about an Ohio beekeeper and his concerns about colony collapse disorder.

White House video on beekeeper

Here's a short video produced by the White House about bees on the property that generate honey for use in the White House kitchen.

Pennsylvania meadmaker wins wine award

A meadmaker in Cambria County won an international award for his Orange Mead.
The piece includes a short video report on the man. Right now, he makes enough only for friends, but hopes to operate commercially soon.

North Carolina's executive mansion has hives on the grounds

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue has taken an interest in beehives since they were installed on the grounds of the executive mansion.

San Francisco hotel installs hives

The Fairmount Hotel in San Francisco has installed hives in its culinary gardens.

EU bans imports of honey from India

Alleging lead contamination, the European Union has banned the import of honey from India.

New York Senator Schumer assails 'honey laundering'

Sen. Charles Schumer has attacked suspicious trade practices by Chinese honey producers, the so-called "honey laundering." Says Schumer:

Instead of simply selling their product in a fair and competitive way, the Chinese are using illegal, backdoor deliveries and mislabeling their product to accomplish their goal. Today I am calling on the federal government to issue a stinging rebuke to these practices, and once again level the playing field.

Schumer was to take part in Senate hearings. I read that there would be audio of the hearing at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission website; nothing as of this writing, but check back.

Pollinator Week in Florida

Governor Charlie Crist has signed a proclamation marking the importance of pollinators to food production in Florida.

Honey tainted with dangerous antibiotic seized in Philadelphia

The honey came from China, and contains chloramphenicol, which is not approved for use in animal-related foodstuffs in the United States.

Beekeeper accused of stealing from rival

A Florida beekeeper is accused of stealing bees, equipment and honey from a rival beekeeper.

USDA to survey for bee pests and diseases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct surveys in 13 states to examine potential causes of bee population decline. It will look at possible pest problems, as well as disease.

Google is in the honey business now

Google has introduced hives to its grounds.

Chicago hotel has hives on the roof

The Los Angles Times has a story about beehives on the roof of the Marriot Downtown, on the Magnificent Mile

Beyond The Hive: Vote for your favorite farmers' market

Everyone knows that a great farmers' market ought to have someone selling honey. Regardless, everyone knows how great farmers' markets are, so here's your chance to vote for your favorite.

English boy a beekeeper, but doesn't eat honey ...

... because he is diabetic. That did not stop him from becoming a novice beekeeper.

Agave nectar? An alternative to honey?

Here's a blogger who found out about something called agave nectar, which comes from plants in Mexico that are described as looking something like aloe plants.

Tennessee doctor produces honey on the side

An internist in Nashville, Tennessee, is a beekeeper on the side, and donates a portion of the proceeds of his honey to a children's hospital.