We are first generation farmers, living and working on a flower farm (Vanishing Point Farm), we also have known Asher for many years. We found out entirely by chance that he was located in the Hudson Valley, and had started this venture to educate people about bees, and help others become caretakers / beekeepers. I believe there is an important distinction there, between beekeeper and caretaker. While Beekeepers is the traditional term, I believe Asher's philosophy is more that of a caretaker.
We started the season with him, knowing very close to nothing about caring for bees. Asher provided not just the service of supplying, setting up, and tending to the hives, but also thoroughly educating us on how to care for the bees. The science, the practice, and frankly the metaphysical relationship that can be achieved between the two species (ourselves and them).
His approach of minimal intervention, minimal usage of smoke, and as little netting / gear as one can be comfortable with, was a beautiful fit for our attempts to run holistic agriculture on our farm. While he is familiar with both the interventionist approach (pest treatments, netting, etc), he guided us toward a practice that felt very humanistic.
His approach is that of listening to the bees, and attempting to understand what will aid them in thriving. He is tactile, and hands on, while simultaneously allowing the bees to lead.
Asher was reliable in his commitments, and was always willing to coordinate with us (in the event we wanted to work with him and the bees), but also to be autonomous when we were not available to be hands on. This was very helpful, as like most farmers we are always balancing multiple commitments. He also worked to engage our children in the practice of beekeeping, with all the patience that requires.
Under his oversight, we both gained much confidence in handling the bees, enough so that when giving farm tours to friends and customers, we felt ready to enter the hives and introduce them to our visitors. Our hives all did very well during their first year, so much so that we were able to harvest honey! One does not know the sweet satisfaction of harvesting honey and seeing it lined up in jars until you do it! What a treat!
Beyond the reward of the honey, I would tell anyone interested in hosting bees of the rewards of simply interacting with them. Bees occupy a unique place in the ecosystem, and energy space of the world. By being among them, listening to them, and looking at them, you become conscious of things you otherwise might overlook. Additionally, I found Asher's practice of working with them bare handed, without netting, awakened me to a new way to bring calm to myself in an environment that might otherwise be stressful. This calming practice has informed my way of being more broadly, as so often we find ourselves in situations buzzing with stress and threat in this modern world.
We greatly look forward to working with Asher for years to come, and expanding our hives!
Isaac Zal
