True To Our Roots Farm and Apiary

05/25/2026

New seasons bring changes….

05/18/2026

🐝🐝🐝Last year we decided to add a couple honey bee hives to our farm to do our part in helping to save the Honey Bee!

The ‘For Farmers Movement’ had a competitive grant program we applied for but unfortunately, we were not fortunate enough to be selected for funding. They encouraged farmers who weren’t selected to create and share Amazon Wishlists on their website and on social media. We created a wishlist but were a bit reluctant on sharing as we typically are the ones helping others and not on the receiving end.

With that said, we are limited on how much we can do, with what we have on hand, and what we have been able to add to our beekeeping supplies.

If you have ever wanted to help “save the bees” but becoming a beekeeper yourself isn’t quite your “cup of tea,” we would 🐝 beyond grateful for your help in helping us 🐝 able to house more bees! We have attached our Amazon Wishlist this post for anyone willing to help us grow our apiary, allowing us the ability to house more hives.

If anyone knows of any funding or grants available for beekeepers, we would love if you shared!

Fun facts about the honeybee:
Honey bees are responsible for pollinating approximately 80% of U.S.-grown crops and contribute to roughly one-third of the food humans consume. They are crucial for over 130 types of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Without the honey bee, there would be no almonds.

Honeybee populations are undergoing severe, record-breaking declines. Commercial beekeepers are reporting unprecedented annual colony losses—some regions experiencing over 60% die-offs. This crisis is driven by the parasitic Varroa mite, widespread pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and climate change. These losses threaten agricultural stability and global food security.

05/09/2026

We are packed and ready to start the 2026 market season! Come see us tomorrow, Saturday, May 9th, at the North Tonawanda City Market and grab some Certified Naturally Grown grown herbs! We will be set up in our permanent stalls right in the middle of the market (where the blue icon is on the map!). Can’t wait to see everyone we have missed all winter long🧑🏼‍🌾👩🏻‍🌾

05/04/2026

🐝🐝🐝If you needed a reason to help you decided on keeping or eradicating the spring dandelions….. the farm field was “buzzing” with all kinds today! Not only is a field/yard full of them pretty, they are one of the first food sources for our honey bees 🐝🐝🐝!

Dandelions also have medicinal, nutritional and beneficial uses as well. Little google assist below to explain a few uses of the plant.

Food: Young leaves are great in salads (older ones are bitter), flowers can be made into fritters or wine, buds can be pickled, and roasted roots can substitute for coffee.

Medicine: Used for centuries as a "cure-all," rich in vitamins A, C, and K, iron, and calcium.

Gardening: Deep taproot aerates soil; provides early food for pollinators like bees, though pollen is less nutritious than native plants.

Special thanks to our Uncle Joe for allowing them to grow in his field!

05/02/2026

We don’t really get the time to enjoy dinner at a restaurant, with how busy our schedules are. But when take out is an option….. we had to support the local, family owned, The Wilson House for dinner this evening.

Not only were our portions more than generous, everything was cooked to perfection and still hot, fresh and crispy in their to-go containers. We will definitely be back to enjoy more options from their delicious menu!

If you haven’t stopped in or ordered take out yet…. You are absolutely missing out!

05/01/2026

05/01/2026

We’ve had a bit of “media silence” over here and for good reason…. We’ve been bus-bee! Pun absolutely intended😉

The greenhouse is filling up fast and plants are looking great. 🌱🪴🫚

Our honey bees are thriving so much we had to do a split on a hive and will be splitting a second one very soon. 🐝🍯🌻

We also have big news to share….. we’ll create a separate post for that in the coming days…. Photo added as a “sneak peak” to give you a hint 🤐🤫😲

Happy Spring….. if it ever fully arrives 🙃😫🌹🪻

04/15/2026

Sometimes you just need a cup of vanilla ice cream from your favorite place Brownie's Custard Stand-Wilson! Phoebe was totally side eyeing me as I took her photo 🤨🦮

03/01/2026

So it begins…… best friend by our side! Phoebe’s favorite place to be, at the farm, with her humans. Anxiously, awaiting her papa😊

12/02/2025

Thank you Mama's Mission Pantry for tonight’s amazingly delicious and simple dinner!