Sea Island Life Magazine Fall/Winter 2014 | Page 42

GIVE BEEKEEPING A TRY

SEA ISLAND’S STAFF WEIGHS IN WITH ADVICE FOR THE ASPIRING BEEKEEPER.
you get to know your bees by
how they are acting.” Alexander
also advises novices to speak to
many experienced beekeepers,
because each probably has a different technique. “I have found
there is more than one opinion
about the right way to harvest
and protect [bees]. I think after
talking to several beekeepers,
[you should] figure out what
works best for you.”
Another Sea Island beekeeper, staff photographer Eliot
VanOtteren, tends to a dozen
hives on a 10-acre farm with
his wife, Paula. With a greatgrandfather, uncle and dad who
have all kept bees, the decision

to take up the hobby was an easy
one. In two and a half years, what
was once a budding interest has
quickly grown into a successful small business focused on
sustainable management and
artisan honey production. He
advises beginners to remember
that the changing weather can
have an effect on honeybees.
“Check your bees regularly during the first year,” he explains.
“This will help to familiarize
yourself with the changing conditions of the hive throughout
the seasons.”
The first year is a critical
period for new hives, so an
observant attitude, patience and

MEG SMITH

Carl Alexander, Sea Island’s
director of safety and security,
helped with the initial purchase and setup of the hives
at Broadfield. Alexander was
introduced to beekeeping when
his father took up the hobby
two decades ago. Over the past
six years, Alexander has gotten involved with the bees and
partnered with his uncle who
also keeps hives.
When asked what advice he’d
give to a beginner beekeeper,
he explains, “Today, honeybees
are threatened by several different diseases, moths and fungi.
Paying close attention to your
hives is the key. Believe it or not,

Candles are just one use of beeswax.

perseverance are fundamental
characteristics for a beekeeper.
Jordan Poteat, general manager
of The Market at Sea Island, says,
“Don’t give up. It can be very discouraging, and you will lose hives.
It may take more than a year to
get your first batch of honey, but
the results are worth it.”

gallberry, tupelo and palmetto, while in northpoplar varietals.
Honey varietals are produced when bees
make honey from the nectar of a single type

the hives in close proximity to a wide variety
of nectar sources. In the future, however, he
hopes to offer six or seven different varietals.
available for purchase at The Market at Sea

Sea Island chefs have also found many ways
whether on decadent desserts or savory dishes.

The flora of different landscapes produce many unique varietals of honey.

Sea Island’s Own
Last March, Jordan Poteat, general manager of The Market at Sea Island, decided
Sporting Club and Lodge.
researched beekeeping before buying 12 hives;
a few of them were disbanded, which is normal
when establishing new hives. “We now have
seven really strong hives,” Poteat says. The

landscape, which includes a unique mix of

as a topping for fresh baked cornbread and biscuits. “We use a little bit in our barbecue—our
pulled pork—in desserts, as well as sweeteners
and in sauces,” says David Carrier, executive
chef for The Cloister and the Beach Club. The
ingredient is also mixed into a honey citrus vinaigrette for a grouper dish at Southern Tide, the

honey harvested just 30 miles down the road
will taste a little different.”

cloves and served warm over angel food cake.

the coast, the prominent honey varietals are

a dish, but subtle enough to add some beautiful
nuances to a sauce or a dessert,” Carrier says.

42 SEA ISL AND LIFE | FALL/WINTER 2014/15

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