Buzz all about it

Spreading the joys of beekeeping

 

Longtime Alachua resident and former grocer, Alan Hitchcock displays a beehive kept at his recently-acquired Santa Fe River Ranch just north of Alachua.  Bees are used to assist in the pollination of plants.  The hive was placed on the ranch by local beekeeper Chappie McChesney at Hitchcock’s request.

 Chappie McChesney once operated a commercial honeybee operation, and his experience with the buzzing insects dates back to his childhood when he first became interested in the art and skill of beekeeping.  Today, McChesney has scaled back his operations to that of an active hobbyist, and he enjoys showing others how to take on the unique task of maintaining healthy bee colonies.