RALEIGH – The State Farmers Market will host Honey Bee Day on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first-ever event will feature presentations on bees, beekeeping, pollination and honey. Locally made honey also will be available for sample and purchase.
“Bees may be small in size, but their impact on agriculture is enormous,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Many of North Carolina’s crops rely heavily on the state’s nearly 25,000 honey bee colonies.”
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ apiary staff will be on hand with its bee cage, a popular demonstration that allows a beekeeper to interact with bees. In addition, Bailey Bee Supply of Raleigh will provide an observation hive for visitors to look inside a working hive.
There also will be presentations on the certified honey program from the N.C. State Beekeepers Association and presentations on pollination from the Johnston County Beekeepers’ Association and the Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association. Bee Blessed Pure Honey of Tarboro will provide samples of honey during the event. Honey and beekeeping products will be available for purchase.
Mike Raley and Anne Clapp of WPTF’s “Weekend Gardener” radio show will also be at the State Farmers Market on Aug. 16 for a live broadcast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The co-host will answer gardening-related questions from market shoppers. There also will be food samples from the market and prize giveaways.
Now is a great time to find locally grown fruits, vegetables and plants at the market. In addition, the Market Shoppes offers a variety of local seafood, meats and cheeses, cakes and pies, jams and jellies and other food items. Visitors also can find home and garden décor at Market Imports. They can enjoy a meal at the Market Grill, N.C. Seafood Restaurant or State Farmers Market Restaurant.
The market is located at 1201 Agriculture St. in Raleigh, off exit 297 on Interstate 40. More information about the market and a complete schedule of events is available at www.statefarmersmarket.org.