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Keeping Backyard Bees (KBBees for short) is a joint effort by Mother Earth News and Grit magazines to create a hive mind of information on bees, beekeeping, pollen, hives, honey, and much more. Our readers may be seasoned beekeepers, they may be interested in starting a hive, or they may even just be concerned about the well-being of bees and want to know what they can do to help. Whatever the reason, we’re glad you’ve stopped by.

Many of history’s greatest minds have held beekeepers in high esteem and have considered the keeping of bees to be noble and close to nature. We’ve asked several people what they think the quote above, “The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams” means. To us, it means a few things: 1) Beekeeping can be unpredictable as bees themselves move without restraint like the rays of the sun; 2) Bees’ work is vital to the plants we enjoy, and while the sun allows them to live, the bees allow them to thrive; 3) Keeping bees adds light, warmth, and purpose to one’s life; 4) Bees sometimes seem impossible to understand.

We also love the quotation, “The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.” Keeping Backyard Bees honors that work by stressing the importance of bees in our everyday lives. We urge you to be aware of our impact on bees and what you can do to help. Even if you don’t have bees, please think of your gardens and your flowers as feeding stations and safe havens for them. You can make a difference, and we’re here to show you how.

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