Talking Bees Roadshow
In September 2023, Healthy Hive Foundation (HHF) teamed up with H-E-B to bring awareness of the environmental benefits that honey bees provide, as well as celebrate beekeepers, honey lovers, and all blooming things. These high-impact talks for all ages are made possible through a grant from H-E-B’s Our Texas Our Future Program. Certified Master Beekeeper, Konrad Bouffard, of Round Rock Honey, will teach 20 completely free Talking Bees Roadshow (TBR) sessions in the greater Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin area public libraries through June 2024.
Studying and learning about bees can lead to a lifetime of respect for, and involvement with, the outdoors. The Talking Bees curriculum is for youth and adults who want to learn about bees and their importance in nature as pollinators. These programs incorporate all the need-to-know facts about bees and their world. The TBR also offers incredible interactive experiences to taste honey, touch honeycombs, explore bee anatomy, and provides a discussion section and insightful Q&As. There are also plenty of opportunities to win sample jars of Round Rock Honey, HEB swag, bottles of Me & the Bees Lemonade, and more. After these programs, you will be able to identify pollens and nectars in honey by taste, learn how bees make honey, and discover meaningful ways to save the bees.
But don’t just take it from us, here is what Konrad Bouffard had to say about the program so far:
Interviewer: “Hey, Konrad! We’re so excited that you’ve been leading these TBR programs for our community and have so much ahead of us in 2024. So far, how has the turnout been at these programs and what is the excitement like?”
Konrad: “So far response to the TBR has been very positive. Several people who attended had heard of Me & the Bees Lemonade, and they LOVED the story I told them of how Mikaila started her company when she was 4 1/2 years old. They also enjoyed getting the green Our Future Our Texas swag bags and small jars of Round Rock Honey. Also, several people commented on the stickers from the HHF. Everyone seems to love stickers!”
Interviewer: “How fun! Why do you think the Talking Bees Roadshow is important and what are some main points that you always make sure to say during these programs?”
Konrad: “The TBR is continuing and furthering the conversation about pollinators and how we interact with them, and our environment, at large. This gives everyday people a reason to reconsider the use of pesticides that could harm honeybees, and also learning more about how to help or even keep bees in hives of their own. We like to point out how the body of a bee is perfectly designed to interact with plants because it underscores the idea that bees can feel, see, smell, and taste the world with much greater sensitivity than can humans. This builds wonder and respect. Another point I try to make is the universality of admiration for honeybees across time and cultures because it drives home the idea that honeybees are "perfect" and worthy of protection. I suspect the TBR will result in at least a few dozen (or more) people ultimately becoming beekeepers after having their curiosity stimulated by the talks.”
Interviewer: “That is amazing, Konrad! Is there anything else you want to mention?”
Konrad: “The first TBR talks have gone very well, but there is room for improvement. We are learning while doing, becoming more efficient, and working hard to make the TBR ever more relevant and timely.”
We hope you’ll join us for our next Talking Bees Roadshow program in 2024. To learn more about the program, including library cities and dates, check out our Talking Bees Roadshow webpage or check back in on our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates. Read the press release here.
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H-E-B is proud to partner with the Healthy Hive Foundation to bring family-friendly, free educational events to our local communities which provide our customers opportunities to learn about bees and the important role they play in our environment.”
