WTF NEws- april 13

Wild Turkey Farms News- April 13

Busy as a bee, or bees, lots of bees. After being a beekeeper for 3-4 years I lapsed into being a beehaver for the past couple of years. What's the difference in a beekeeper & a beehaver you may ask????

Beekeepers are dedicated tending their bees and making sure they have the proper amount of space, are free of disease & pest, and managing them for maximum (or at least adequate) honey production or pollination. Beekeepers faithfully check on their hives every 7-10 days to prevent the overcrowding that leads to swarming (this is where about 1/3 of the bees decide that it's too crowded and the pack up the queen and go look for a new home). Beekeepers constantly check to see if their bees have enough to eat and make baby bees. They worry about the weather, flower blooms, and pest outbreaks. Bee equipment is expensive and dedicated beekeepers must constantly repair or replace aging equipment. Come honey harvest time they fight millions of bees that really don't care to share their honey with some marauder with a space suit on. All this so they can sell what little honey they make to the loving customers, some of which like to point out that "I can get honey at Walmart for half this price". They have a dedication and love for bees that is unmatched in the world (except maybe by some cat people).

Beehavers tend to ride by their beehives when mowing the yard & think "they're still there, must be OK"

Well for the past 2 years I've been guilty of being a beehaver. This year the honey-flow (or flower bloom where nectar is plentiful and bees can make honey) is in full swing, the best I've seen since starting beekeeping 6-7 years ago. This super honey-flow has pushed all of my bees into high gear and we've had 4 swarms in the past 4 days. This has forced me to clean up every old piece of beehive I could find to have places to put these swarms. I even broke down and went to visit Bob (the local bee equipment supplier) to pick up a few pieces for new hives. Bob was nice and had a few pieces that would get me back & going in no time. We visited for a while before loading up the equipment and then I hit the road, 30 minutes late for my next stop and a couple hundred dollars lighter in the hip pocket. Then when I got back I went out to catch the most recent swarm from our crepe myrtle tree. Now swarms are always the most gentle point in a bees life, they are never aggressive because they are on the move and don't have honey or baby bees to guard. I've caught many swarms in a t shirt and shorts without any problems but evidently this swarm didn't get the memo about being nice. As soon as I walk over and start assessing the situation one decided it should welcome me with a shot to the noggin followed by a few of its friends escorting my retreat to the house. After getting my veil and bucket I eventually won the war and got them in a new hive at the farm about dark. I've not been stung in 2 years and have now been popped several times in the past 3 days.
Kinda makes me want to go back to BeeHaving so I can ride by & say "they're still there, must be OK".........



FARMER'S MARKET SEASON IS HERE!!!!

Just to give everyone a heads up- we are no longer accepting the wooden debit card ($5) tokens- but don't worry we are now set up to accept your credit cards at our booths!


Davidson Farmers Market- (8-noon) Come load up on yummy WTF meats and fresh free range eggs!!! This year Flat Iron Restaurant of Davidson will have breakfast available at the market. We loaded them up with WTF eggs & sausage for opening day so come out early & tell em you want some WTF on a biscuit!
THEY'VE RELOCATED US THIS YEAR! Due to the pending construction in front of our old spot we've been moved to the lower end of the Jackson St parking lot beside our friends at Chef Charles Catering.


Salisbury Farmers Market-(7-noon)- Domisty will be back at Salisbury this morning in her usual spot. Don't risk missing out on what you want - email us your order and Domisty will have it ready to pick up at the market

Elizabeth Farmers Market- Due to unforeseen conflicts we will not be able to make it this weekend!!! sorry for the inconvenience.


Join us for the Earthday Birthday Jam @ Saving Grace Farm April 21 3pm- Midnight.
Come out to Saving Grace Farm for some marvelous music, enlightening education, various vendors, fabulous food, and an overall amazing day to benefit the Land Trust of Central North Carolina and nature-based therapeutic programs at Saving Grace Farm.

Musical Lineup Includes:

No. 9 Coal

Big Break

Yadkin River Theory

Gray Wise and the Back 40

Sue McHugh

CaLeb Hill and the Small Mountain

Don't forget to check out our Wild Turkey Farms Facebook page and "like" us to get the most up to date info.


We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Whiskey Warehouse- Charlotte
The Bradford Store- Davidson
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
Salisbury Wine Shop- Salisbury
The Bread Riot- Salisbury
NoDa Brewing- Charlotte



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC