Wendi Mitchell, owner and beekeeper of Ventura-based Blue Ridge Honey, is hoping a plan in the works will help her avoid laying off staff in the coming months. The Blue Ridge Honey label will continue to be available at farmers markets, which require that only local honey be sold. (2)According to the National Honey Board, in 2020, American beekeepers harvested 147 million pounds of honey (3), with only 11.7 million pounds being exported. Indeed, Blue Ridge Honey has dropped down to 20 wholesale accounts from their typical 97. With rain falling in Ventura County over the past week, Mitchell does see some hope for the crop in 2022.

Source: The Guardian December 16, 2021 12:01 UTC