Bees at a vineyard may seem like an unlikely combination, but the relationship between these two entities can be quite beneficial for the health of the overall ecosystem. The queen bee, the worker bees, and the drone bees all work together to create a complex and efficient system of productivity, and this harmony is something that Flying Goat Cellars’ co-proprietors Kate Griffith and Norm Yost admire.
- Benefits of beekeeping at a vineyard
- Importance of bee education and outreach
- The role of bees in the ecosystem
At Flying Goat Cellars, Griffith and Yost have learned that having bees at the vineyard is not necessary for grapevines to reproduce, but it does have several benefits for the overall health of the ecosystem. For example, bees help pollinate the flowers and trees that are planted around the vineyard, which in turn promotes healthy growth and fruit production.
| Benefits of Beekeeping at a Vineyard | • Promotes healthy growth and fruit production | • Helps pollinate flowers and trees | • Supports the local ecosystem |
Griffith and Yost took up beekeeping in 2012 after being introduced to it by a friend, and for 12 years now, they have hosted monthly meetings for the Lompoc Valley Beekeepers Association at their tasting room. As part of Down to Earth Month and their involvement in beekeeping education efforts, the couple will hold an event with a live demonstration beehive on April 26 from 1 to 4 p.m., open to anyone interested in learning more about bees.
“I marvel at how efficient the bees are,” said Kate Griffith, co-proprietor of Flying Goat Cellars. “It’s always fun to get the kids looking at the bees and asking questions, and I think it’s so important nowadays because I don’t think kids get enough exposure to the natural environment and the things going on around them.”
The couple emphasized that bees are not necessary to vineyards in the sense that grapevines are self-pollinating and don’t need the help of bees to reproduce. However, they also stressed that having bees at a vineyard benefits the health of the overall ecosystem.
- Extremely toxic to bees
- Causes harm to bees and other pollinators
Griffith explained that after learning about the toxic effects of systemic plant care formulas, she stopped using them in her garden and started informing others of their effects. She now teaches people about the importance of using natural and non-toxic products in their gardens. “We just teach people about that when we’re doing our little dog and pony show out in the community, kind of making people be more conscientious about what they’re using in their garden and encouraging people if they do want to become beekeepers that we’re happy to teach them and train them and help them get a leg up.”
The monthly Lompoc Valley Beekeepers Association meetings happen on the second Tuesday of each month, and Griffith emphasized that any person interested in learning about bees or taking up beekeeping is invited to attend.
- Fun and engaging events
- Opportunities for kids to learn about bees
- Community building
Griffith and Yost have found that hosting educational events and outreach programs has been a great way to build a sense of community among beekeepers and to promote a greater understanding of the importance of bees in the ecosystem. “There’s no politics. There’s no religion,” Griffith said. “We all come from different stripes and colors, but I feel very fond of our beekeeping group. We just have this colony, and we really love our beekeeping world.”
“We’re just happy to be a part of the Lompoc beekeeping community,” Griffith and Yost said in unison. “We feel very fortunate to be able to share our passion for beekeeping with others and to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.”
Highlights of the Event
- Live demonstration beehive
- Opportunity to ask questions and learn about bees
- Meet and greet with Griffith and Yost
The event will take place on April 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Flying Goat Cellars, and is open to anyone interested in learning more about bees. The event will feature a live demonstration beehive, opportunities to ask questions and learn about bees, and a meet and greet with Griffith and Yost. “It’s going to be a fun and educational event,” Griffith said.
