Beekeeping goes back 10,000 years, but bees have been much in the news recently as a multi-pronged scourge has devastated many of the nation’s 2.5 million colonies. Meanwhile, hobby beekeeping has grown exponentially in the country.

Bill Mares will tell of the origins and evolution of beekeeping, sometimes referred to as “farming for intellectuals,” with a particular emphasis on his new book, with Ross Conrad, and others, The Land of Milk and Honey, a History of Beekeeping in Vermont. (Green Writers Press).

Raised in Texas and educated at Harvard, Bill Mares has been a journalist, state legislator and high school teacher.  He has authored or co-authored 18 books on a variety of subjects including the U.S. Marines and beekeeping and from workplace democracy to Vermont humor.  He has been a beekeeper for 50 years and was the co-owner of a Vermont brewery. He lives in Burlington with his wife of 50 years, Chris Hadsel.  They have two sons.

The talk takes place in the Sheldon’s barn. Free and open to the public, seating is limited, first come-first served; bring a bag lunch if you’d like!

This event is sponsored by Table 21.