Asheville Beekeepers Shine at AVL HoneyFest, ‘Largest Honey Contest in the World’
Honey makers from around the world gathered for the third AVL HoneyFest at Salvage Station in Asheville, North Carolina, showcasing their finest honey varieties in what organizers tout as the largest honey contest globally.
More than $7,000 was up for grabs as the final rounds of live judging for the International Black Jar Honey Contest unfolded, culminating in the crowning of the grand prize winner. However, attendees were treated to a spectrum of delightful experiences beyond the competitive fervor.
A Sweet Celebration at AVL HoneyFest
The festival entailed a feast for the senses with live performances by local bands and puppeteers along with a bevy of about 60 vendors offering an array of products. The highlight, undoubtedly, was the opportunity for honey enthusiasts to embark on a tasting journey, savoring the diverse flavors and textures of honey created by skilled apiculturists.
Buzzing About the Importance of Bees
The event was not merely a celebration of honey and its creators but also a means to underscore the vital role bees play in the ecological tapestry of the Western North Carolina mountains.
“There are more honeybee keepers in the Asheville area than anywhere else in North Carolina,” stated Carl Chesick, executive director of the Center of Honeybee Research Asheville. “Very few people know that there are more beekeepers — individual beekeepers — in North Carolina than any other state in our country.”
The Need for More Beekeepers
Despite the strong presence of beekeepers in the region, organizers emphasized the importance of recruiting more individuals to the beekeeping cause as honeybees serve as crucial pollinators for a wide array of crops in North Carolina.
Amidst concerns of colony collapse and dwindling bee populations, the call for more beekeepers rings louder than ever as these remarkable insects are indispensable to the sustainability of our agricultural systems.
