Fifty Years in the Hive: Phil Crump of Westover Apiaries
On Tuesday, October 13, our breakfast had a sweeter ending than usual. Phil Crump, owner of Westover Apiaries, came to talk about "The Business and Pleasure of Beekeeping in North Carolina." He did not come empty-handed. Phil set a hive box, a frame of comb, and a jar of honey on the sideboard, and by the end of the morning members had gathered around them with questions. Our thanks go to Mike Perkins, who sponsored the program.
Almost Fifty Years With the Bees
Phil has kept bees for almost 50 years. In a UNC Media Hub profile, he described a process he still does himself from start to finish: suiting up, working the hives, pulling the frames, and extracting the honey. He removes the wax cappings with a knife, because that does the least damage to the comb. The bees can then repair the comb and use it again.
That care shows in what he sells. Westover Apiaries offers more than 16 kinds of honey. The flavor and color change with the seasons, because they depend on the nectar the bees collect at the time.
The Business Side of a Sweet Thing
Beekeeping is a pleasure, but for Phil it is also a business. He sells his honey mainly at events held by Plant Delights Nursery, a Wake County nursery, about eight times a year. He has been honest about the hard part: when honey is underpriced, it is harder for full-time keepers to make a living, and overharvesting can harm the colonies.
He is far from alone in the work. About 15,000 people keep bees in North Carolina, according to NC State University. The North Carolina State Beekeepers Association has more than 4,000 active members, and more than 80 of the state's 100 counties have a beekeeping association of their own.
Why We Serve
One line from Phil's profile stayed with us. He said that at least half of his interest in beekeeping is the fellowship with other beekeepers.
Rotarians understand that. The Four-Way Test asks: Will it build goodwill and better friendships? A hive works because thousands of bees each do a small part for the whole colony.
A Rotary club works the same way. Each of us brings one skill, one story, or one hour, and together it adds up to Service Above Self. On Tuesday, a beekeeper reminded us how much good comes from patient work done together.
Come and Join Us
We meet every Tuesday at 7:30 AM at Carolina Country Club, 2500 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, and on Zoom. Visitors are always welcome. Come for breakfast and stay for the conversation. You never know what our next speaker will bring to the table.
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