plants the bees pollinate, but also due to the careful processing used in getting raw honey from the bees to the bottles.
TOP, MIDDLE AND BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTOS BY AVA ISABEL GRACE
Walker hives are in three counties, so the honey varieties are made from local blooms. “My personal favorite is saw palmetto,” says Buddy Walker, although he understands that favorites can vary, as some of us prefer the sweetness of orange blossom, the lightness of wild flower, the heavy molasses flavor of black mangrove. Saw palmetto-tinged honey has a rich, caramel taste. Honey bees came to North America with human-assisted migration during the 17th century. Europeans fleeing wars, poverty and religious persecution brought their beekeeping skills to the colonies, oddly the same term used for housing mass bee populations. Bees are instrumental in Florida’s agriculture and plant industries, with bee farmers transporting the creatures around the state to pollinate trees, flowering plants and crops. A decline in bees has been an issue in the last decade, although colony loss has stabilized, agencies tracking bees report. While honey is mostly used to sweeten pies, teas and a million other goodies, it also has proven health benefits. “Wild flower also helps many who suffer from allergies,” explains Joyce Walker. Walker Farms is well known for the incredible flavor of all of their honey varieties, so much so that their Sample Honey Set made Oprah Winfrey’s “O List” in 2001. Ava Isabel Grace is a Florida resident who loves the country.
Naturally produced is the key to flavorful and healthy honey (top right). Penny Lane Walker’s Just Bee Free products (center right) such as soaps are nice bath accessories. Joyce and Buddy Walker, married since 1966, are themselves sweet as honey.
BEE GOOD
Penny Lane Walker has created her own line, Just Bee Free, with Walker Farms honey. Products range from handmade soaps to body scrubs to detoxification, both salts and soaks. The products are at Walker Farms, select Southwest Florida stores and online. Penny Lane Walker, Facebook, 239-677-0885, justbeefree1@gmail.com
ROUNDUP
Walker Farms, North Fort Myers Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 239-543-8071, walkerfarmshoney.com
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