About Us

The Saving the Honeybees initiative was founded in central Maine with a clear mission: to help increase pollinator populations in our region and promote the health of honeybees and other essential pollinators.

Our organization is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for people to learn about beekeeping and understand the vital role that pollinators play in our environment and food systems.

Our Story

With a lifelong love for bees, I finally began beekeeping as a hobby. Like many, I started naively, thinking, "How hard can it be?" My first year, I had two hives, but I got no honey. The following year, I harvested a little honey but lost both hives over winter. I quickly realized "easy" isn't the word for this! It was time to join a local club and attend "Bee School."

Living in Massachusetts at the time, I joined the Essex County Beekeepers Association and learned a lot. I discovered that the beekeeping scene had changed dramatically since the 70s — new pests and diseases including Varroa mites, Tracheal mites, Foul Brood, Hive Beetles, and Wax Moths had taken a toll, and Colony Collapse Disorder ramped up losses from 10-15% to as high as 62%.

After relocating to Maine, I purchased 29 acres near water, hay fields, and a small orchard — aiming to expand from hobby to sideline. I started Hood Brook Apiary with ten hives in spring 2021. This journey has truly shown me how fragile honeybee populations are and how much they need our help. That's why I started the "Saving the Honeybees" initiative — aimed at raising awareness and supporting local bees through education, community action, and sponsorship programs.