While most of Washington is busy buzzing about politics, First Lady Melania Trump is quietly tending to business – bee business, that is.
This week, she unveiled a brand-new beehive on the White House South Lawn – hand- crafted to resemble the White House itself. The addition doubles down on the existing colonies, turning an already productive operation into a full-on honey factory with wings.
The new hive is expected to boost honey production by about 30 pounds a year, sweetening everything from White House desserts to official gifts. That means more of their light clover and basswood flavored citrus-kissed honey making its way into teas, dressings, and probably a few well-timed peace offerings. Not a bad way to spread goodwill – literally.
But it’s not just about keeping things sweet. The bees are pulling their weight pollinating the Kitchen Garden, Flower Cutting Garden, and even parts of the National Mall. Talk about a grassroots operation – no lobbyists required.
Even better, the hive doubles as an educational feature, giving visitors a chance to see a real working colony up close. No smoke, no mirrors – just thousands of tiny overachievers (up to 70,000 in the summer months) doing what they do best. And what they do best is producing up to 225 pounds of honey in a productive year.
The White House beekeeping tradition, which started back in 2009 after White House Carpenter Charlie Brandt started a beehive as a hobby, is clearly still creating quite a buzz. In a city full of noise, this is one hive that’s actually worth listening to.
You can watch a video of the beehive here [1].