Mikkola Family Farm & Apiary

06/28/2024

Friday of Canada Day long weekend with the help of my oldest son, I was able to condense and relocate the remaining queens from the Yaw Yard. Was a late start because Aya Dufour from CBC news came to speak with me and my colleague Doug Tompsett of Douglas Apiaries. As Doug pointed out today, so poignantly, this is the canary in the coal mine situation. It is time for beekeepers and everyone in northern Ontario took acknowledge the impact spraying is doing not just a local or provincial level, but a national level. I want to think Aya for her time and her fearless pursuit of the truth as she braved getting footage in front of the hives. Namaste 🙏

06/27/2024

We support Natural Pest Detterrants… check out our friends at Off the Bee'tn Path Sudbury and the next Farmers Market!!

06/27/2024

Used Beekeeping Equipment For Sale: Consignment

Honey Harvest is fast approaching. Is this your year to remove the bottleneck situation you face in your operation? Have a Large Scale Hobbyist to Commercial sized operation or looking to grow? If Yes then this is for you.

2016 Silver Queen Uncapper and Stand with Trough: The Silver Queen Uncapper is made out of 12-gauge stainless steel, which is ideal for use in your honey extracting operation. A 1⁄2 HP1725 RPM capacitor motor drives the gears and knives for a smooth and streamlined uncapping process. Also included are chain lugs to prevent jams and slipping combs. Features: Channels, shafts, crossbars, and knives made of stainless steel. Sprockets and chains are nickel coated. Machine instantly stops with an on-off reversing switch. Slip clutch is adjustable. Instantly adapt the knife handle to ideal cutting depth. Heat knives with hot water or steam. The Silver Queen Uncapper can easily be converted to accommodate deep or shallow frames using the available attachments. Used only 4 Seasons. The Uncapper alone is valued at over $19,000. Asking only $13,000 for the Uncapper, Stand and Trough.

Maxant Series 4000 - Model 30 Extractor: Every beekeeper knows that Maxant is the Cadillac of the industry. No comparison to other machines on the market. It can extract wood or plastic frames with no modifications.This model easily extracts 30 Full Size (Deep) Frames. Powered by 1⁄2 HP DC Motor with Electronic Variable Speed Control and a Timer. Asking only $6,500.

Lyson - 24/30 Deep Frame Radial Extractor Optima: Holds 24 Deep Frames & 30 Medium Frames. Bought New & Used One Season. Retails at $3,995 and Asking $3,750.

60" Gravity Clarifier - A must for any smooth-operating honey shop! The adjustable heat unit warms the water in the outer jacket and the honey flows easily to your pump under the baffle while the impurities rise to the surface. They are then stopped by the baffles and easily skimmed off. 100% Canadian Made. Used One Season. Asking $3,100

*All Reasonable Offers Will Be Considered *Would Prefer Selling the Lot for $ 25,000.
*Buyer Responsible for Shipping.

Email: [email protected]

Subject: Extracting Line Please include Contact Name and Phone Number.

06/26/2024

More importantly what about the Native Pollinators??

06/25/2024

Not often I post a video with me in it. And it’s been a minute since I built a fence. This yards located at the home of Creekbend Honey & Sucrerie Séguin Sugarbush aka Dan & Tracy Seguin. I have admired them and been blessed to learn through them for the past decade and I am overwhelmed by their love and generosity.
Lots of work left today and into this season but I’m not giving up!

06/25/2024

Moving a few remaining queens and a handful of bees to new holding yard east of the city. This is not about my business this is about our ecosystem being destroyed. Just because you can’t see it now it doesn’t mean it’s not happening!!!

I’ll post the links in comments for those wanting to assist in the cost to have these bees tested so we can hopefully amend the way these products are used before it causes more harm to the wildlife and native pollinators around us!!!

06/24/2024

Adding Torenia to the list of pollinator friendly annuals.

Now how do I move these to their new spot lol 😂 “Sorry Boss my girls are hungry.” 😋 🍯 🐝

06/24/2024

Bee Jackets, Bee Suits, Gloves, Smokers & Hive Tools, Remaining 8 Frame Equipment, Drone Frames *In Stock Items & Sizes Only.

Email: [email protected]

Subject: Sale Inquiry

Please give me a bit to respond and to arrange curbside pick up.

06/24/2024

$2,013 of $5,000 absolutely amazing & a great start. This is the combined total at this time. I know many others have expressed interest in donating. I can not start the process of sending out the samples until we have collected more funds.

If you can not donate today please share.

Donations can be made via the GoFundMe link below or
E-transfer to:
[email protected]

My name is Dawn Lalonde, I am one of nearly 200+ Beekeepers i… Dawn Lalonde needs your support for Fund Vital Testing to Save the Pollinators: Northern Ontario

06/22/2024

Not saying this is what caused my incident but I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s being used in the Districy and within 3 miles of many beekeepers and pollinators.

06/21/2024

Still a bit left for the season. Let me know if you want to arrange curbside pickup today before you head off to camp. Absolutely tasty grilled or in a pasta. Yum yum 😋

06/20/2024

Garlic Scapes Available - Thursday & Friday Curbside Pickup Only!

🧄 $6/ 12oz Package or $8/lb.

🧄 Will reply to “comments” in order in which they are posted. Only Comments on the Farm Page will be followed up on!! I am still harvesting so please be patient with me and I will get back asap. Please do not send to messenger I will not see it.

*I will “not” Deliver! *No Holds! Curbside Pick Up Only! *Cash Only!
*By Approved Appointment Time Only !! Please - Do “not” show up unannounced!

*All orders picked up before Friday at 5pm. Limited availability remaining.

06/20/2024

I feel their energy…if you are new here… you will learn quickly…I’m not giving up!!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/zfrNhsKc7Wk1zkgQ/?mibextid=xCPwDs

06/20/2024

Tried posting this this morning before taking samples for testing. This is not normal! This is wrong.

My business has faced an astronomical set back but as a farmer we dust off our knees, wipe our tears and look for the cause and then the solution.

The testing will cost upwards of $5,000. This is not an expense i have the funds for in either the business or my personal finances. Especially with the cost to rebuild.

The testing result will hopefully be used to help other area beekeepers as well as most importantly the native pollinators.

Thankyou to those who have already donated either through the GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-vital-testing-to-save-the-pollinators-northern-ontario?attribution_id=sl:492aaccb-9cab-4e9c-a033-d9964695d371&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_ft&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=qr_code

Or by Etransfer: [email protected]

06/19/2024

With the Cash and E-transfer donations we are at $1275 that’s 25% in less than 24 Hours. That makes me so overwhelmed.

I’ll be heading into the field this morning to start collecting samples. I will keep you all aprosed of the combined totals. This only works if there’s 100% transparency.

My name is Dawn Lalonde, I am one of nearly 200+ Beekeepers i… Dawn Lalonde needs your support for Fund Vital Testing to Save the Pollinators: Northern Ontario

06/18/2024

Add these to another long list of reasons we need to have my dead bees tested. If they are hurting my colonies. We can’t let their death be in vain.

Don't spray your lawn! We like these little bug-gers

06/18/2024

After much deliberation and after many heartfelt and informative discussions with colleagues, family and community members I have decided that testing should commence on the hives that we believe may be damaged by chemical contact. Sadly, the costs far exceed any financial means I have at my disposal.

At this time, it is agreed the testing should be done not just to assist the other area beekeepers but to ensure we continue to protect our "native" pollinators. I will be pulling samples and preparing them for the lab in hopes we can raise enough funds to have an adequate number of samples sent to the AFL at Guelph University.

Every little bee matters and every little bit helps! Thank- you all in advance and I will continue to follow up and respond to everyone's messages. Just know I have read them all and I am very overwhelmed with the love and support from you all.

*If there are any remaining funds they will be allocated accordingly to assist other(s) or held in trust to assist in education at a local level.

***This fund is "not" to help me recover my personal losses and my business page is only being used to help spread the word. I will not receive any financial gains through the results of this testing.

UPDATE: Those who do not wish to use credit cards etc are able to make electronic transfers to a new account specifically set up for this fund.

Etransfer to:
[email protected]

My name is Dawn Lalonde, I am one of nearly 200+ Beekeepers i… Dawn Lalonde needs your support for Fund Vital Testing to Save the Pollinators: Northern Ontario

06/16/2024

Trying to not sit in the pain of the loss. Took a few quiet minutes to embrace the beauty around me. From the beautiful flowers to the still in the air and the birds singing before all the customers arrive at the GC.

Please when you see me in public right now. I ask you do not mention the loss, feel free to comment on posts. I know your love and comments are coming from a good place within, but I am really trying to just make it through the day and this week.

I will be looking at what the next move is and the costs associated with testing etc and will be keeping everyone apprised as things unfold.

For today though, come buy some beautiful plants or even just walk around the garden center and be surrounded by all this beauty.

*sorry my voice is/was a bit rough in yesterday’s Electroculture video (no sleep, crying & primal screams… there are many methods to release frustration) and I will try and post something on Electroculture by Monday as I’m really intrigued.

For today I just want to say Thankyou. I will update everyone as soon as I can assess costs of testing and I will respond to everyone at the onset of the week.

Happy Father’s Day!!

🙏 Namaste ✌🏻 ❤️

06/16/2024

This would be a true story.

06/15/2024

This has to be the most difficult post “and” days I’ve had in all my years of beekeeping.

I can’t even post the video(s) from today I’m still that sick to my stomach.

I can not express how “eerie” it is to walk into a beeyard with over 20 colonies on the most beautiful day to not see or hear one bee foraging….Not 1!!!

For Comparison:

Left- A hive I shrunk down two weeks ago to requeen after it was inspected at the Yaw Yard and it’s now not even a handful of bees and a new queen.

VS

Right - A colony from the MFFA yard I pulled 6 frames from and they’ve drawn out and are two deeps wall to wall in bees.

I can not even begin to express the emotions within.

I’m trying to look at it positively 1) it’s only one yard. This is why we practice biosecurity and have multiple yards. 2) MFFA Yard got supers on today 3) *Only two queens were not released from cages and 4) *Only one queen was not accepted. *Those are great odds.

Cause: At this time there is no other explanation other than these colonies have been exposed to some form of pesticide, herbicide, fungicide which has caused most of the foragers to not return, die in the fields and whatever did make it back they have fed it to the remaining bees which are dying a slow & painful death. *See last week’s videos.

Sadly: The costs to run the testing needed to know the exact chemical is not something I can personally can afford.

Loss: At this point the total loss is not even something I can wrap my head around. At this point I am estimating the losses to this yard alone at over $25,000. That is just the loss in honey production for this season, let alone the replacement cost of the livestock, and the potential need to burn all the frames within these colonies to ensure it does not cross contaminate other hives….the list grows as the tears roll down my cheeks.

Hail Mary Play: I will be looking at all options including relocating the handfuls of bees within these colonies to another location (hours away) That is if they survive until the other holding yard is ready 🙏 . Looking for ways to supplement feed them (costs not in the budget) They will most likely each require a 20kg Bag of Sugar converted into syrup. They will need to be top fed since they have no bees at the age to be able to forage, in addition to pollen/protein Patties (as seen in the one photo). (Cost to attempt to save them right now in excess of a few thousand… I don’t have.)

If… a big If… If this works I will be lucky if I can get half of the these colonies established and strong enough to get them into winter. There still is minimal to no chance of a honey crop (from these colonies). This is a Hail Mary play to get these new Queens established and pray that they survive our cold northern winters.

Risks: Top feeding this time of year on colonies this weak will put them on a greater risk of other colonies within a few miles finding them and robbing from them. A strong colony can usually withstand and defend itself from mild to moderate robbing but these colonies will not be able to withstand any greater loss.

These colonies had all tested at a Zero for Varroa mites, they were requeened and accepted the new Saskatraz queens, there was minimal signs of chill or chalkbrood at the onset of the season which is why I had reduced their colony size.

Noted: This yard last year saw a loss in foragers to which I had equated to being due to the heavy smoke from the Forest fires, a possible swarm or abscond etc. I even looked at the potential of poor mating flights due to the heavy smoke from the forest fires.

These colonies are full of resources, honey, pollen and bee bread. There just of less and less bees inside and more and more dead in front of the hives and around the fields.

I am writing this with a heavy heart and really trying to stay positive but after today I just don’t know how many more hits I as a woman let alone a beekeeper I can take. I always get back up….I always find a way … but reality is I can’t post the videos from today because I couldn’t stop crying.

To my friends, family, colleagues, amazing customers and those in the community. I want to thank you all for your ongoing love and support.

I’m just not sure how I’m going to come back ahead after this massive loss & honestly I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to fund the cost to save these hives, let alone do the testing to find the actual cause so we can hopefully help other beekeepers.

Again thank- you… just please give me some time to regroup!

Please feel free to leave comments here but please when I’m in public I ask we not discuss this just yet. I was struggling even posting this publicly and this has taken me a while to even post.

UPDATE #1: A Go Fund Me has been set up to increase awareness as this will also be affecting others as well as local native pollinators. For more information and to help fund the initial testing please follow this link: https://gofund.me/9980908e

UPDATE #2: Those who do not wish to use credit cards etc are able to make electronic transfers to a new account specifically set up for this fund.

Etransfer to:
[email protected]

06/15/2024

“Not “just” a beekeeper.” I adore when my friends and colleagues remind me of that.

Been so busy at the GC (and working later than normal) that I had a lot of catch up to do on my day off. No rest for the wicked. 😉

One of my other passions which many know was/is learning skills to be self sustainable. This includes growing garlic.

At this time of year - here in the North we need to be cautious of Leek Moth. Not only can it damage our scapes but our heads of garlic which is also our next seasons seed. (I save my best garlic for replanting) If we practice regenerative farming and try to avoid pesticides and insecticides to organic products this limits our availability on the market.

As a honey producer I am overly cautious of the products I use.

This video shows onset of Leek Moth damage and identifying characteristics. Discusses the only product “at this time” I feel mildly safe using if done within the parameters I explain in the video.

In addition, I those show new to Growing and my foodies out there ….one of my favourite parts of the plant … the Scapes. I also explain why we remove the scapes & it’s not just for the amazing treat.

06/10/2024

Looking for guidance or want a more in-depth hands on, private educational course within your own hives. Booking now! Willing to do evening classes with in the district and if there’s enough demand willing to travel West towards Sault Ste.Marie, East to North Bay, South towards Parry Sound and even as North as Cochrane.

Email Only: [email protected] for more details. Subject: Lessons

06/05/2024

Not an Asian Murder Hornet… it’s a European Hornet. Yes I took ethers pics and yes was found in Lively. A colleague dropped it off. Follow the link for a proper informative write up.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/cGfw1BChcxnaas8B/?mibextid=WC7FNe

06/04/2024

15 of 18 Queens in this yard are Saskatraz; 1 of 18 is Golden West.

MFFA Yard has 13/26 as new Buckfast. I’ll check acceptance in a few days/next week.

One more round of requeening possibly by end of season. As of right now I am a 44 Year Old Beekeeper with as many potential hives as I am old.

06/04/2024

Guess which hive did not like me cutting the grass in the rain?

05/31/2024

Big Shout Out, Much Love & Appreciation to Dana Petrillo and the rest of the sweet girls she works with for helping me, my business was and all the amazing beekeepers in the north taken care of. Always going above and beyond, putting up with my insane amount of questions and ensuring we get well taken care of.

Thankyou ladies and looking g forward to eventually getting to meet up this year.