Why the Caraways are proud to “bee” farmers
Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem by spreading nutrients to crops, produce, and other plants.
Ron and Diane Caraway are reminded of that each day on the homestead, Boggy Branch Farms, that’s been in their family for three generations.
While Ron cared for the land as a teenager, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school.
He managed airplanes for 45 years as an air traffic controller. Now, Ron manages flying insects as a beekeeper—or, as he puts it, a ‘bee partner.’
“They allow me to work alongside with them and to help them in some cases, with the case of parasites or diseases and I’m able to enjoy that fruit that they provide,” explained Ron.
Along with raising their handful of hives, the Caraways grow hay and produce.
Above all, they want to raise awareness for the bees’ essential role in making things grow.
“One of the things that I think that we overlook is—in the Wiregrass how important both mixing the pollinator with the producer [is],” said Ron.
Ron hopes some of their fellow farmers take notice.
“I would like to see a better collaboration between watermelon growers in the Tri-State area and with the pollinators or the bee managers within the area,” said Ron.
And those new to collaborating with bees have a whole community of beekeepers that are happy to help and share their information.
“The Wiregrass Beekeeper’s Association, the first order of business is asking ‘is there anybody that’s new?’” said Ron. “And if there is someone new and they may [not] have had any experience in beekeeping, everyone rallies around them to help give support and education and it is very, very receiving.”
Diane is happy to help Ron carry on the family’s farming legacy.
“This has been a lifelong dream for Ron to be out here,” said Diane. “I just want it to be able to prosper and grow and be what he wants it to be.”
While Ron is proud to see the partnership he’s forged with honeybees being savored by their land and their customers.
“Knowing that that hard work resulted in the cooperation with nature, cooperation with the bees, and it’s something that somebody enjoyed, and it was good tasting to them,” smiled Ron.
The couple plans to expand their Geneva County farm to include cattle as they continue distributing honey.
