Unlike January (National Oatmeal Month), March (National Celery Month), and October (National Pickled Peppers Month), September actually honors a food worthy of having a month dedicated to it—honey. Disagree? Well consider the amazing fact honey is the only food with an eternal shelf life (it has to do with the supersaturation of sugar that inhibits the growth of yeast and other fungal spores)—that’s right it never spoils! Plus admit this, its slow drizzle factor is just plain cool. Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in Pocantico Hills is doing its part to honor honey with two upcoming classes: Backyard: Honey Extraction (Saturday, September 6, 10 am to noon; $20/person, ages 12 and up) and Backyard: Beekeeping 101 (Sunday, September 7, 1 to 3 pm; $20/person, ages 12 and up).
The former has Dan Carr, Stone Barns farmer and beekeeper, demonstrating the steps that go into honey harvesting (including pulling the honey from the comb and tasting its distinct flavors), while the latter has Carr explaining the ins and outs of getting started with bees—ordering equipment, obtaining a queen and a colony, and working in the hive. No formal instruction on caring for bee stings however!
If you’re looking for more local honey providers, check out the National Honey Board’s honey suppliers for New York and Connecticut.
