Hello Y'all
At the beginning of September (HERE), I mentioned a second Local Spotlight feature was coming before October, and here it is!
Our two local spotlights this month go together like peanut butter and jelly or should I say peanut butter and honey... I interviewed Laura of Casade Farms, a flower farm in Chesterfield County earlier this month, and today I have the pleasure of sharing another Darlington Farmers Market friend, Chelsea of Carabo Farms. In the short time I have known Chelsea, I have learned so much about her passion for her hives, pollinators, quality products, and customer experience. We bonded quickly over our love for blue and white, brass candled sticks at our first market together but have since become friends, chatting nonstop about our dreams, goals, and passion for our little businesses. The honey she harvests and the beeswax products she produces are of a quality you rarely find anymore; a sweet treasure of Marlboro County and the surrounding area.
Continue Reading to Learn more about Carabo Farms!
Tell us about Carabo Farms!
Carabo Farms is a small bee farm in Blenheim, SC. We are committed to the health and well-being of pollinators. We offer raw, local honey, beeswax products and gifts.
What push or moment made you take the leap of faith to start the farm?
We were living in the suburbs of Greenville SC when Covid hit. It was the wake-up call we needed to realize all of these modern conveniences could be taken away from us in the blink of an eye. In October 2021 we decided to move back to my husband’s family land and become self-sufficient. We wanted a small homestead with a garden, ducks, chickens, goats, and a couple of beehives. Things spiraled out of control and by the end of the first year we had thirteen beehives and by the end of the second year, we had fifty. I’m still waiting on those goats!
What sets Carabo Farm apart from others?
At Carabo Farms, the bees come first. We are not a commercial beekeeping company. We are a small farm with our hives spread out throughout the county. We take only excess honey and leave the rest for the bees. Since honey bees are not native to North America, we believe beekeepers also have a responsibility to native pollinators. When there are too many colonies in one area, it steals resources from native pollinators. We are passionate about learning how we can protect these native pollinators and hope to inspire others to do the same.
Some ways you can help are:
- planting native, pollinator-friendly plants
- learning about the harmful effects of neonicotinoids and using natural pest control practices instead
- leaving a section of leaves and dead stumps in your yard as these provide a safe habitat for many types of pollinators.
- providing a clean water source for thirsty pollinators. Set rocks and sticks in a shallow dish with water so they have a safe place to land.
Where does your passion for beekeeping come from?
I have always loved bees but it wasn’t until getting that hands-on experience of being inside a hive with stinging insects buzzing all around me that my passion really took off. It is incredible to watch this superorganism in action. Each bee has a job and works together for the betterment of the colony. Individually, they can’t accomplish much, but together they can make complex decisions and achieve so much. We can learn a lot from the bees.
What is your biggest lesson thus far?
Beekeeping (and most farming/agricultural work) is not for the faint of heart. Just when you think you’re finally getting a handle on things, nature laughs and says “Not so fast.” Inconsistent weather interferes with important hive maintenance. Hives you thought were thriving end up dying from things out of your control (nearby pesticide use, queen problems over the winter, pests, disease, etc). Mice make their way into your storage building and destroy everything. It can feel like a constant game of catch-up! I’m still trying to find the balance between the bees, making the products, attending markets and events, and all the back-end stuff that comes with a business. I don’t know everything but I make a consistent effort to become 1% better each day.
Where can we find you?
You can shop our products on our website https://www.carabofarms.com/
We offer shipping, porch pickup, and free Marlboro County Delivery on the first Friday of the month.
Check out our upcoming events HERE
You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok @carabofarms
Photos by Kristen Hayes Photography
Comments