|
Bees at Last, Bees at Last. Great God Almighty, Bees at Last!
Here's a clever and judicious use of the open space that is required around a busy airport like Chicago's O'Hare: An apiary.That's a Bee Farm for those of you who don't know. There are now 1.5 million bees living in beehives in this open space. The beehives are tended mainly by carefully screened former convicts. The felons work for Sweet Beginnings, an enterprise that employs them as beekeepers, landscapers and food processors. Ooooo-Kay. Sounds like a Honey of a Job. Kinda takes the sting out of being an ex-con. The Daily Herald has a quote from the CEO of Sweet Beginnings that I found encouraging: "Bees don't distinguish between weeds and flowers," Palms Barber said. "They see it all as a source of food and turn whatever they draw from into something sweet and good. That's what we do with these men and women. There is good in them as well." Since the land that's used for beekeeping is in what's called the runway protection zone, it can't be developed. The open space was already vegetated with plants that attract bees. So the bees get a good home, the felons have a chance to learn meaningful skills while being employed. In the current economy who knows how many beekeepers we'll need? If they're smart, other airports across the country will replicate this model. Posted by: Deacon Blues 2011-08-25 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=328625 |