Bee Basics
Our honey bees thrive by working in rhythm with Missouri’s unique seasons, gathering nectar from local favorites like Dutch Clover, Black Locust, and goldenrod. As the official state insect, honey bees are essential “pollinator powerhouses” for our local ecosystem, supporting the reproduction of roughly 80% of Missouri’s flowering plants and a third of the food we eat. By moving from flower to flower across the Ozarks, they ensure the survival of native wildflowers and boost the yields of Missouri crops like berries, melons, and pumpkins. Keeping healthy hives in Licking isn’t just about the honey; it’s about maintaining the natural beauty and agricultural strength of the place we call home.
The Colony
Every colony is a finely tuned team with three distinct roles working in harmony. At the center is The Queen, the heart of the hive and the only one of her kind; she can live up to five years, dedicated entirely to ensuring the colony’s future. Supporting her are The Workers, an all-female workforce that handles every essential task from nursing the young to foraging for nectar across the Missouri landscape. Finally, there are The Drones, the males of the hive whose primary purpose is mating; however, life for a drone is seasonal, as they are famously escorted out of the hive before winter begins to conserve resources for the rest of the colony.
