The White House beekeeping program officially began in 2009 after White House Carpenter, Charlie Brandts, started beekeeping as a hobby on the complex a few years prior.
Beekeeping has since become a lasting tradition on the South Grounds. During peak summer months, the existing two hive populations can reach approximately 70,000 bees, driving production up to 200-225 pounds of honey in a productive year.
The proximity of the beehive to the Kitchen Garden provides the bees with fruits and vegetables to pollinate. Their efforts are far-reaching and include the pollination of the large variety of trees and flowers on the White House South Grounds, such as the large holly, which gives the White House honey its unique light flavor of clover and basswood with subtle hints of citrus. Flowering plants and food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. The White House bees cultivate the environment on the White House Grounds, the National Mall, and beyond. Continue reading “White House Expands Their Honey Production”