All of Marin County’s open land, all those cows and grasses, and there is no nectar. Even the best conservation efforts don’t provide enough healthy forage for honey bees, according to a West Marin mead maker.
At Heidrun Meadery in Point Reyes Station, there is a concerted effort to cultivate honey bees through increasing biodiversity. Heidrun produces sparkling mead from a variety of honeys using traditional methods similar to those used to make French Champagne.
Since moving his operation to a former cattle ranch 15 years ago, owner Gordon Hull has planted native and flowering plants to support yearlong forage for his honey bee colonies. But according to Heidrun’s bee manager Bonnie Morse, it takes a long time for those to produce honey because it is surrounded by grazing lands…