A Life with Bees in Porcupine Plain 

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From the archives of Pure Green, this story originally appeared in Pure Green Magazine Issue 6 - we couldn't host the unofficial 'Bee Week' without revisiting it. This story has stayed with me - it's inspiring and honest; it's the story of Stella and Sheldon who own and operate Sweet Pure Honey in Porcupine Plains, Saskatchewan.  Their story is one of hardship and joy, slowly building over the years into an enterprise where community, generosity, family and harmony are of utmost importance. One of the take home messages of the modern beekeeping movement is to stay local, but in this case I urge you, make an exception. Something about Stella and Sheldon's honey, the flora the bees collect pollen from, the love and care they receive, the processing of their honey - it's the best I've ever tasted. No exaggeration. Even my chef husband (PGM Food Editor Jonathan MacKay) agrees. It's ivory, creamy texture, incredibly nuanced and flavourful. It's pure heaven. Ahh....   anyway. You can read the entire article HERE (Issue 6, p. 48), or we've gathered some of our favourite elements of the article for you to read below. Be sure to visit Stella and Sheldon and say hello from us at Pure Green :)    

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Photo: Sheldon, caring for the hives. "Apiculture turned out to be my calling: I enjoy being in nature and the bees are fascinating creatures in the way they organize themselves and make collective decisions for the good of the hive. We still don’t fully understand why they do some of the things they do. It is intriguing being a part of that culture of beekeeping, a culture that is thousands of years old.”

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[Sheldon] "This is the great thing about beekeeping - my job changes from spring to fall and so I never get bored. I am a person who enjoys being outside. I couldn’t imagine sitting in front of a computer all day or commuting down a busy freeway to work. I feel centered being with the bee’s and out in nature, seeing wild animals every day, having time to look at the beautiful clouds or the Saskatoon blossoms.  It can be very hard work but the benefits are well worth it."

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[Sheldon] "...if you spend enough time together with an animal or the land that you tend to grow alike. I believe this to be true having experienced this first hand." 

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[Stella] "We are farmers — we live in a town that grows and eats it own food in the middle of nowhere!  Every cent we make goes to our family farm and community, which needs the support." NOTE: in the past Sheldon had to leave during the hard winter months to find work. Now Sweet Pure Honey is thriving and he is home full time!! Woot!!

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[Stella] "One small change over time grows — it starts with just a shift."

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[Stella] "We want to share what we have the truth is I could not do it on my own — this is working because I have great people working with me.  Passion is contagious and it comes right back to us when we need it most!"

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Photos compliments of Sweet Pure Honey

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