Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/352529
6 WINNIPEG FrEE PrESS, SATurDAY JulY 26, 2014 t h e h o n e y s h a c K O ne Faulkner farming family creates quite a buzz. life has been sweet for larry and Tammy Solberg since they launched their homegrown business The Honey Shack after being stung by hard times in the cattle industry. The story begins in 1995 when the husband-and- wife duo moved to larry's family farm to learn about the cow-calf business from his parents. A city girl at heart, Tammy needed to learn the business from the ground up. Through hard work and perseverance, they managed to maintain a herd of about 120 cows. That is, until BSE struck the cattle industry in 2003, causing prices to plummet. The Solbergs were forced to think of another way to sustain themselves, especially after flooding added to their woes. "We had to change," Tammy says. "If you want to farm or you want to be in any kind of business, you have to make the changes that you need to be sustainable — and that's what we did." Beekeeping became a viable option, since it was somewhat familiar ground. larry's father, grandfather and uncle had all raised a few hives over the years, and the couple decided to give it a try. "It just started with a couple hives. I sold all of our honey right off the bat with those two hives, which was about 600 pounds of honey," Tammy recalls. "I looked at it and said, 'We can pay the bills this way.' And then it just happened." After that, they were hooked on honeybees. Today, the Solbergs maintain close to 300 colonies. On average, each colony yields about 180 pounds of honey per year. In good years, however, a single hive can produce up to 300 pounds of the sticky substance. No matter how much honey they produce, they always sell out, thanks in part to a contract with BeeMaid Honey. Although Tammy has developed a deep fascination for the buzzing insects, she now has to keep her distance. Mid-season in 2012, she was stung by bees and discovered she has an allergy. "It was so disappointing because I really like bees. I really like talking to people about bees and encouraging them if they want to get into bees. It's just so amazing. It is a really fascinating process," she says. "I used to be out in the bee yards while my husband was making hay or fencing or seeding. This year, he's spending a lot of time in the bee yards. If he gets stuck, he gives me a call on his cell phone." Now Tammy dedicates her time to other aspects of the business, including product sales and shipping across North America and even to Europe. "My husband built me a candle shop. It's amazing fun. You walk in there and it smells so good. It is a very creative outlet," she says. "The candles sell well too. They come in all different shapes, sizes and colours, natural and scented." Honey, of course, remains a big seller, with creamed and liquid options available in a variety of sizes and flavours. "The lemon ginger is really good. It's amazing as a glaze for chicken. It's really tasty," Tammy says. "The coconut one has also been a big hit. It's newer and people are loving it." The couple still keep cattle, but on a much smaller scale. right now, they have 14 cows that will likely be gone in the fall. But these days, they are busy as bees with the honey flow that occurs during a six-week period in July and August while alfalfa and clover are flowering. By September, the Solbergs will start preparing their hives for winter. "You have to make sure they're healthy. We winter outdoors, so they get wrapped with a polywrap around the sides and some insulation put in the top, just like you would do for a house. Your feeding is done in the fall. Once the timeframe hits, you're pretty much at the mercy of the elements until spring," she says. "You're always looking ahead. When it's springtime and you're managing your colonies for the honey flow, you're also looking ahead to whether the colony will be a wintering colony. And when you're getting your hives ready for winter, you're looking at whether the colony will come out healthy in the springtime." Although the learning curve has been steep, there's no shortage of experts willing to lend a hand. "Beekeepers are an amazing group of people. You can ask questions and they'll help you out. We have a really good network in the beekeeping industry in Manitoba," Tammy says. "Beekeeping is just amazing. It's a calling. It's a way of life." For more information, visit www.honeyshack.ca. ❙ Beekeepers Larry and Tammy Solberg still keep a few cattle at their Faulkner farm. But tiny bees are the main source of income these days. The couple tend their hives and produce honey and a variety of candles. the sweet liFe Honey business is the bee's knees By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press Photos courtesy of The Honey Shack Box160,FisherBranch,MBR0C0Z0 AttitudesAreContagious...IsYoursWorthCatching? 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