Charm City Honey Bees, LLC

- By Sentel AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines – As dawn breaks over the vibrant forests of Agusan del Sur, Talaandig leader Zenaida Mansiliohan, along with other indigenous women, embark on a sacred journey. Their steps are gentle yet purposeful, as they move through the lush greenery to perform an age-old ritual, honoring the spirits that safeguard their crops. This ancient ceremony not only deepens their spiritual bonds but also emphasizes the essential connection between nature and their everyday lives. Cooking with Cassava: A Tradition of Nourishment and Unity In the heart of the community, Zenaida meticulously prepares a meal that has sustained generations. Using a small, well-worn knife, she carefully peels away the tough, bark-like skin of the cassava, revealing the starchy root inside. Did you know that cassava, also called yuca, feeds over 800 million people around the globe? Its ability to thrive in drought-prone regions makes it an indispensable crop, particularly in areas like A...

  - By Sentel BOSTON - Remember when Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) was the headline-grabbing mystery that had everyone buzzing with concern about the fate of our precious honeybees? The phenomenon, which saw entire colonies of bees vanishing without a trace, left the world wondering: What was happening to our buzzing buddies? The media spotlight may have dimmed, but did we ever get to the bottom of it? The short answer? Yes, but with a twist. What Exactly Was Colony Collapse Disorder? "Colony Collapse Disorder mysteriously stopped around 2011," says Noah Wilson-Rich, the founder and CEO of Best Bees, a beekeeping service based in Boston. "The real kicker is, we still don’t know why it started or why it stopped. It was linked to new pesticides at the time, but honestly, it’s still a head-scratcher. Those bees simply vanished—no bodies, no clues. Nowadays, we see the evidence of bee deaths, but back then, it was like they just disappeared." The origins of this bee a...

-By Sentel Did You Know? The Shift Toward Sustainable Shopping is Real! Are you aware that a whopping 89% of consumers have shifted their shopping habits to prioritize sustainable products? That's right! Nearly 30% of these consumers have made some pretty significant changes in their buying behaviors, with Generation Z leading the charge. This younger generation is all about sustainability, making it a key factor in their purchasing decisions. It's not just a trend; it's a movement toward eco-conscious consumerism that’s here to stay. The Business Case for Going Green: Why Eco-Friendly Products Are a Win-Win Let's talk business. Offering eco-friendly products isn’t just about feeling good—although, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love doing the right thing? It’s also about boosting your bottom line. Consumers today are looking for brands that resonate with their values, and sustainability is right at the top of that list. So, why not align your brand with what matters most...

- By Sentel  In Pennsylvania, a team of 26 passionate volunteers has achieved what thousands of app users could not—they discovered new species of bees never before recorded in the state. Guided by Penn State's expertise, these citizen scientists embarked on a mission to map bee biodiversity across the commonwealth. Their efforts led to the identification of 235 bee species, including seven state records, proving that hands-on science trumps technology when it comes to revealing nature's secrets. But why does this matter? Bees are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems, pollinating over 80% of flowering plants, which in turn support a vast array of crops like apples, peaches, and pumpkins. The data these volunteers collected is more than just numbers—it's a blueprint for preserving the future of Pennsylvania’s agriculture and biodiversity. This project is a testament to the power of community science. It shows that with the right training and a bit of enthusiasm, anyone can c...

By Sentel a writer for CCHB Through beekeeping, Melinda Sheffield not only found her sobriety but also a passion that she now shares with her community and veterans, spreading healing and hope one hive at a time. Finding Healing and Purpose Through BeekeepingIn the heart of Central Texas, Melinda Richardson Sheffield discovered a new lease on life through beekeeping. Her journey to sobriety led her to start her own bee farm, sharing the fruits of her labor with her community and inspiring others along the way. Melinda's passion for beekeeping blossomed as she worked through her recovery from alcoholism." I was an alcoholic for 24 years, and God delivered me from it eight years ago. He replaced it with a passion for bees," she shared. "It just happened just like that." Learning the craft from her mentor, Melinda established Richardson Bee Farms, growing it from a single hive to a flourishing operation with 500 hives. "It was a lot of hard work," she adm...

- By Sentel In the same way that a visionary like Bill Gates has strategically invested in farmland, reaping substantial financial benefits, we too can learn from the natural world to enhance our own strategic thinking and entrepreneurial pursuits. Bees, those tireless workers and marvels of nature, offer us a wealth of inspiration. Just as Gates' investment stretches across vast and varied landscapes, bees traverse miles, pollinating plants and essentially sustaining our agricultural systems. Bees don’t just provide honey; their strategic roles in pollination are akin to the diversified investments in the world of business. They teach us the importance of spreading our efforts and diversifying our interests to ensure growth and sustainability. This aligns with principles from Proverbs 24:27, which advises us to prepare our work outside and make it fit for ourselves in the field; an encouragement to plan wisely and build our resources diligently. Moreover, bees exhibit extraordinar...

By Sentel  In the realm of nature’s diligent workers, honey bees are champions of productivity and teamwork. Their secret? A steadfast focus on collective goals and refined communication skills, pivotal in their success. This mirrors the business world, where the unity and precise coordination of a team often dictate success, exemplifying that together, we achieve more than individually. Honey bees play a crucial role in pollinating a significant portion of the crops we consume, highlighting the importance of teamwork not just for survival but for thriving in our ecosystem. Their work teaches us a valuable lesson: the impact of cohesive teamwork can surpass all expectations. Imagine leveraging this natural wisdom in your personal and professional life. What heights could you reach if you mobilized everyone in your team to work with the unity and purpose of honey bees? As a community at Charm City Honey Bees, let's draw inspiration from these incredible insects. By creating an envir...