A Sticky Subject

A third of the food we eat comes from pollinated plants, from the apples in our pie to the asparagus on our grill, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And since honeybees are responsible for 80 percent of that pollination, they’re helping to put that food on our tables...

By Nathalia Vélez

September 26, 2013

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A third of the food we eat comes from pollinated plants, from the apples in our pie to the asparagus on our grill, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And since honeybees are responsible for 80 percent of that pollination, they’re helping to put that food on our tables. But thanks to a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, our friendly neighborhood bees are in constant decline. To teach people about the benefits of honeybees, Denver Urban Homesteading is hosting the second annual Colorado Honey Festival. Founded by James and Irina Bertini, DUH promotes local agriculture by teaching classes on gardening, beekeeping and raising animals.

“The Honey Festival is a way for people who are involved in the honey and bee community to connect with the general public,” James Bertini says. “We are trying to promote honeybees and promote greater numbers of people becoming beekeepers to help preserve and protect honeybees.”

The festival includes samplings of local honey, a demonstration of the honey extraction process and lectures on the benefits of honey in food and beauty products. Neighboring businesses will also be celebrating the festival in their shops: Black Sky Brewery has brewed a honey beer, and Humble Pie Bakery will offer a honey peach pie.

The festival begins at noon at Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive. Rocky Mountain Table Company will be set up at 200 Galapago Street, where doctors Ron Fessendon and Robin Dickinson will speak from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on honey’s health benefits and medical uses. Attendance is free. For more information, visit denverurbanhomesteading.com.
Sat., Sept. 28, 12-4 p.m., 2013

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