Kaleigh Louise {Kalo} is a beekeeper in the Sonoran Desert. She works alongside her elder mentor John Reynolds {JR}. They tend 500+ hives across 30 some bee yards in the borderlands surrounding Kenyon Ranch. JR has been working with bees in this area for over 50 years. His father was a beekeeper, as well as a woodworker who hand build all of the equipment for their extensive operation. At their peak, JR and his father were running 1,700 hives throughout these hills. 40 years later, many of those yards are still alive today
JR grew up during a special time for bees in the history of this area. At one point there were three multigenerational beekeeping family’s operating on a commercial scale (400 hives or more) within very short range of one another. Rather than competing, they worked together, making each other better beekeepers. As a young person JR was able to work alongside and learn from these legacies, incorporating their stories and practices into his own legacy today. Kalo is honored to have now become a part of that greater story
The operation today remains humble. JR has likely produced more honey for the area ranging from Tucson to the Mexico border than any other beekeeper alive today ~ and yet he would rather no one knows his name. This story (not often told) is shared with you not for applause, but rather so you can taste the beauty of the generational wisdom and depth of connection to this land in the honey herself.
Thank you supporting our family & appreciating the richness behind what we do at Amado Bee Co~ Amado, Az
