Bee Keeping, sometimes called apiculture is popular in homesteading circles. People want a way to produce their own natural sugars and honey is a product that is sold in every grocery store. Because of the popularity of this product in our culture, it’s natural to think that this is a great product for modern homesteaders and landowners. But after a few years of watching others struggle with their new hobby, I think I may decide to not get into bee keeping and opt for an easier way to produce a natural sugar.
Let me “BEE” completely honest and say that those who effectively produce large amounts of honey for sale and their own use are very skilled and knowledgeable in their trade. It takes years of experience to master raising bees, keeping them healthy and making their hives into a buzzing business. I’ve learned that jumping into bee keeping without first being mentored for a few years is going to be tough. It really is one of those skills that should be tutored and apprenticed.
A few years ago we decided to try Sorghum cane for a natural sugaring method. Three years later, I have more syrup than I will ever use in a year and the stuff practically grows on its own without any help from me. In my opinion, (don’t hate me) Sorghum is a much easier way to produce natural sugar on a homestead if you live in the right climate. Those farther south can grow sugar cane.
The benefits and advantages seem to really outweigh the advantages of honey in almost every way.
Not only is Soghum easy to grow, but the mineral content of sorghum blows honey away. Take a look at the chart below.
Sorghum is also high in Vitamin B6 when compared to honey.
So if you are considering getting into bee keeping, consider first the content in this video above and weigh your options. Having bees has almost become a status symbol and I totally understand it has a cool factor associated with it. Mostly because all the cool kids are doing it. But if you can look past the cool factor and think about what may be a better use of time and money, a quarter acre of tall green sorghum stalks may be in your future along with a pantry full of syrup.
