Honey talks
06. HOW DID YOU BECOME A CERTIFIED MASTER BEEKEEPER?
05. WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? DO YOU HAVE LOCAL PICKUP?
04. WHAT ARE YOUR RETURN POLICIES?
03. WHAT ARE YOUR SHIPPING RATES AND POLICIES?
02. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY HONEY CRYSTALLIZES?
01. WHEN DO YOU RESTOCK HONEY, SOAP, OR SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
07. DO YOU TREAT YOUR BEES?
08. DO YOU HAVE BEES OR COLONIES DYING?
09. DO YOU OFFER ONLINE BEEKEEPING CLASSES?
15. HOW ARE YOU NEURODIVERSE?
14. WHY BEES?
13. WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
12. ARE YOU PART OF ANY BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATIONS?
11. DO YOU FOLLOW FOOD SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WITH YOUR HONEY?
10. WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE LIVE HONEY BEES ON MY PROPERTY?
16. DO YOU STILL DO PHOTOGRAPHY?
17. DO YOU PRACTICE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS?
18. DO YOU TRAVEL FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING?
Beekeeping is seasonal work in Utah and honey availability depends on many factors to be successful. Honey harvest times can be difficult to predict, but honey is typically harvested between August-October and available within that time frame and around the winter holiday season. It continues to be available until it sells out and is restocked annually. Soap and skincare products are restocked when needed. Some skincare products are not available between May-September due to to higher temperatures and high risks of products melting when shipped.
01. WHEN DO YOU RESTOCK HONEY, SOAP, OR SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
The nature of raw honey means it can crystalize. Crystallization is completely normal. Some honey crystallizes faster than others, but eventually, all honey will crystalize. That does not mean it should be thrown out (honey never gets old). Crystallization is a combination of the types of sugars in the nectars collected at that particular time. Crystallization is also affected by the raw nature of honey. If it has more pollen, wax, and propolis in it, those will form crystals quicker.
If your honey crystallizes this is an indication that it is truly raw and has all the benefits of raw honey. Second Breakfast Honey harvested in fall typically crystallizes much quicker than spring honey based on what the bees forage at the time.
When your honey does crystalize just put the bottle in a hot water bath (not boiling) and let it sit for 30 minutes. It will liquefy and be squeezable again. Some people love crystalized honey as is and spread it on toast.
02. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY HONEY CRYSTALLIZES?
USPS shipping is available for domestic purchases only and varies based on weight and distance. Read the shipping policy for more details.
03. WHAT ARE YOUR SHIPPING RATES AND POLICIES?
Second Breakfast Honey guarantees the quality of its products. Second Breakfast Honey is happy to replace any item(s) in the unlikely event that they might be damaged during transit. Items that have been opened or used are not returnable and as such all sales are considered final. Read the returns policy for more details.
04. WHAT ARE YOUR RETURN POLICIES?
I live in the eastern mountains of Utah. My apiaries are close to Vernal, UT and honey is available for local pickup there.
05. WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? DO YOU HAVE LOCAL PICKUP?
A Certified Master Beekeeper is one who has completed a master beekeeper program with a deep understanding of bee anatomy, biology, beekeeping practices, beekeeping as a business, and how to conduct scientific research and experiments. I became a Certified Master Beekeeper through the University of Montana's program, which I recommend as a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about beekeeping.
06. HOW DID YOU BECOME A CERTIFIED MASTER BEEKEEPER?
I initially started my beekeeping career with a treatment-free approach. As I gained knowledge and began experimenting more, I saw, first-hand, the difference monitoring and treating for mites, nosema, and other pests or diseases can make. Through my Master Beekeeping program I was able to fully look at the scientific research and justification for treatments, which changed my mind and approach. Now, my bees and I are more successful than ever.
07. DO YOU TREAT YOUR BEES?
Becoming a Master Beekeeper has helped me mitigate colony losses with deep knowledge of anatomy, biology, beekeeping, and science. I still have winter losses, like many beekeepers, but these have gone drastically down as my knowledge has increased.
08. DO YOU HAVE BEES OR COLONIES DYING?
I hope to offer these in 2022.
09. DO YOU OFFER ONLINE BEEKEEPING CLASSES?
I offer live honey bee removal local to Vernal and northeastern Utah. However, if you have live bees on your property (a swarm or an established hive), call your local beekeepers association. They will be able to direct you to someone who can help with a humane and safe live bee removal.
10. WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE LIVE HONEY BEES ON MY PROPERTY?
Yes. The honey is raw, which means it is not pasteurized. However, all food safety precautions are taken when harvesting, filtering, and bottling honey. Utah's Cottage Food Program requires all of Utah's honey producers to receive a Food Handler's Certification. I am happy to provide my current certificate upon request.
11. DO YOU FOLLOW FOOD SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WITH YOUR HONEY?
Yes, I am a member of the Utah Beekeepers Association, American Honey Producers Association, American Beekeeping Federation, and the Western Apiculture Society.
12. ARE YOU PART OF ANY BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATIONS?
Outside of honey, soap, and skincare products available for purchase I offer beekeeping services for public speaking, mentoring other beekeepers, and live honey bee removal in my local area. For those seeking autism advocacy services I offer public speaking for workplaces and events.
13. WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Did you know that many autistic people have special interests? Bees are mine. I love the sensory aspect of hearing them and the smell of the hives. What I love even more is the feminist-led society. I originally got into bees thinking it would help support my other big hobby of gardening, but came to love bees just as much!
14. WHY BEES?
While I don't feel I owe it to anyone to disclose my personal disabilities, I share here to advocate for people like me and the disabled community as a whole. I have both autism and ADHD. I received both diagnoses as an adult. My son is also autistic.
15. HOW ARE YOU NEURODIVERSE?
With a background in both photography (entrepreneurship), and teaching I am able to combine my passion as an educator with marketing in my dream day job. I work full time in edtech as a product marketing manager and love it. I am currently transitioning out of photography and am taking on limited clients only through 2022. For my existing clients who are still working with me, you can find photography information here.
16. DO YOU STILL DO PHOTOGRAPHY?
I understand some populations may continue to be more vulnerable and susceptible to COVID-19 despite vaccinations. To ensure the comfort and safety of others in-person I am fully vaccinated (including my 3rd shot) and committed to continued timely vaccination. I will also wear a mask indoors, at locations with low vaccination rates, while traveling, with people I don't know are vaccinated, or for any other reason. I will also wear a mask happily at your request in any situation to guarantee others have safe and equitable access.
Also, as an autistic person who frequently encounters anti-vaccination discourse with autism, I am a big fan of vaccines. I love who I am and what my brain is capable of. I believe there's a lot of ableism in the idea that the risk of death from a preventable illness is a risk someone would rather take than end up like me or other neurodiverse folks.
17. DO YOU PRACTICE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS?
Yes. In-person public speaking rates include the cost of domestic travel for both autism and beekeeping speaking events.
18. DO YOU TRAVEL FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING?
1. Representation & Voice
2. Bodily Integrity
3. Cultural Appropriation
4. Creating Content with Meaning
5. Event Autonomy