Lift the lid of a beehive at Blanchet Farm, and you’ll see the benefits of consistent actions. Just like the bees, participants in the farm’s addiction recovery program practice habits to build stable, productive lives.
Standing near a hive swarming with bees can be intimidating, but volunteer beekeeper Natalie Seals helps farm residents understand the bees and discover there’s little to fear. Seals brings more than 20 years of beekeeping experience to her volunteer role. Prior to moving to Portland, she was an active beekeeper in Colorado, with 12 hives spread across backyards and small organic farms.
Beekeeper Natalie Seals inspects a tray of bees at Blanchet Farm. Photo by Gabby Thuillier.
Rewards Beyond Honey
Some of her favorite things about beekeeping have nothing to do with honey.
“I love watching the different jobs they do. One of my favorites is what I call ‘air conditioner’ bees. On hot days, some workers sit at the hive entrance, little butts facing out in a line, and fan their wings to move air through the hive. At the same time, other workers stop collecting nectar and switch to gathering water. They spread tiny droplets throughout the hive to create evaporative cooling. Bees turn their hive into a swamp cooler. How amazing is that?” she said.
Unable to keep bees at her apartment, she threw herself into supporting causes like Blanchet House. During a tour of Blanchet Farm, she learned about the apiary program and offered to help. The program was started in 2020 by volunteer beekeepers Katy Fackler and Brian Wagstaff. When the pair stepped away this spring, Seals was excited for the opportunity to continue what they had built.
Beekeeper Natalie Seals teaches residents of Blanchet Farm how to extract honey from a beehive. Photo by Gabby Thuillier.
Now, she works alongside residents as they care for the hives, harvest honey, and learn the many responsibilities of beekeeping.
“I’m just there to give suggestions and guidance and help the men make the apiary their own,” she said. “It’s a real joy to work with them. I love seeing their interest and initiative grow.”
Creative Problem Solving
She has already watched residents take ownership of the program. After mentioning that another beekeeper used moss to provide water for bees, the residents quickly created their own version using a chicken waterer. When she suggested building a solar wax melter for processing beeswax, they had nearly finished it by her next visit.
She hopes the lessons extend beyond beekeeping.
Volunteer beekeeper Natalie Seals stands near beehives at Blanchet Farm. Photo by Gabby Thuillier.
“I hope the residents take away a willingness to try new, hard, and scary things,” she said. “A lot of people are scared of bees, and that makes sense. They sting, and it hurts. But once you start, it’s so fascinating and rewarding. Go on the adventure. Try new things. Do the hard thing even if you’re scared. There will likely be sweet rewards.”
Together, the bees and the residents produce honey and beeswax products sold at summer farmers’ markets and in our online shop. More importantly, the apiary helps cultivate confidence, curiosity, and the belief that small, daily actions can lead to lasting change.
