If you’ve ever poured a spoonful of golden honey into your tea or watched your squash blossoms swell into fruit, you’ve witnessed the magic of pollination. At the center of much of that magic? The European honey bee — Apis mellifera — a naturalized species that has become a cornerstone of agriculture, backyard gardens, and the beekeeping hobby across Texas.

On Saturday, August 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Rooted In Nursery in Pilot Point will host its first-ever Bee Day — a free, come-and-go event celebrating all things honey bee, with a healthy dose of native bee appreciation mixed in.

Whether you’re just bee-curious or manage multiple hives, this gathering offers something for everyone: new beekeepers, seasoned apiarists, native bee advocates, pollinator gardeners — and anyone with a sweet tooth or an open afternoon.

Honey Bees Take the Spotlight

This inaugural Bee Day puts the focus squarely on the European honey bee, whose ability to produce honey, pollinate crops, and captivate generations of backyard naturalists has made it one of the most important (and beloved) insects in the world.

But honey bees are more than just honey-makers. They’re pollination powerhouses that increase yields in vegetable gardens, orchards, and wildflower meadows — not to mention the gateway species that often inspire a lifelong connection to the land and its ecology.

Guests can expect:

• Expert-led presentations on beekeeping, honey bee biology, and starting or expanding a hive

• Informal “Ask the Expert” booths hosted by Trinity Valley Beekeepers, Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, Elm Fork Beekeepers, and Denton County Beekeepers!

• Live demonstrations on tools, techniques, and hive management for all skill levels

• Local honey for sale, along with a tentative People’s Choice Honey Tasting for $5 per ticket

• A fully enclosed observational hive, offering a close-up look at a live colony — without the sting

Native Bees Deserve a Nod, Too

While European honey bees get most of the buzz, Texas is home to more than 700 species of native bees — many of which are unsung heroes in pollination. From fuzzy bumble bees to tiny metallic sweat bees, these solitary species quietly pollinate everything from native wildflowers to backyard tomatoes.

Native bee experts will be on site to answer questions, show off bee houses and habitat examples, and help visitors understand how they can support both managed and wild bee populations at home.

Some native bees are more efficient pollinators than honey bees, especially for certain fruits and vegetables, and many don’t sting at all. But they’re facing serious challenges — including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate instability. Gardeners can help by planting the right plants, avoiding unnecessary sprays, and leaving a few wild edges in the landscape.

Gardening for Bees: A Sweet Exchange

Supporting pollinators starts in the soil. That’s why Bee Day also includes educational booths and shopping opportunities focused on pollinator-friendly plants — from nectar-rich perennials to native Texas wildflowers and herbs that bloom across seasons.

You don’t have to be a beekeeper to support the bees. A well-planted landscape can do more for pollinators than a poorly placed hive. Here’s how to make your garden more bee-friendly:

• Stagger your bloom times.
  Offer food from early spring through fall.

• Plant in drifts.
  Clusters of the same species are easier to find and forage.

• Go native when you can.
  Native Texas plants offer superior pollen and nectar value.

• Avoid pesticides and sprays.
  Especially during bloom. Even organic options can harm bees when misused.

• Leave habitat.
  Bare soil, hollow stems, and old wood support solitary native bees.

It’s a pretty sweet deal: even if you’re not harvesting honey, bees help provide better vegetable yields, bigger fruit crops, and healthier, more vibrant gardens. In return, they only ask for blooms, clean water, and a safe place to forage.

Details, Directions, and a Little Local Flavor

In addition to the talks and booths, there will be free raffles and giveaways throughout the day, bee-themed vendors, and lots of hands-on fun for families. The event is come-and-go, with peak programming between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., though Rooted In will be open from 9 to 5 for plant sales and garden browsing.

Admission is free. The only ticketed element is the optional $5 honey tasting, which may include a small souvenir (we’re working on that). The winner of the tasting may walk away with sweet bragging rights — or possibly donate their prize to a bee nonprofit of their choice.

Let’s come together to support the bees, the blooms, and the community of growers and keepers who make life a little sweeter — one flower (or hive) at a time.

Bee Day 2025 –Speaker Schedule

All sessions held at the Farmhouse

10:15–10:45 a.m.
   John and Sarah Wright
A “Buzz” Worthy Journey: Starting and Sustaining Your Beekeeping Adventure

11:00–11:30 a.m.
   Carol Clark
Native Bees in Your Landscape: Diversity, Habitat, and Why It Matters

11:45 a.m.–12:25 p.m.
   Ryan Gieseke
Inside the Hive: An Exploration of Honey Bee Biology

12:35–1:05 p.m.
   Mike Barber
Raising Royalty: a commercial Beekeeper’s Guide to Grafting Queens

1:20–1:50 p.m.
   Kirby Carmichael
One Beekeeper and a few Million Bees: Beekeeping as a business enterprise

2:15 p.m.
  Honey Tasting Winner Announced!

2:20–2:50 p.m.
   Michelle Boerst
A Master Craftsman Beekeeper presents: A year in beekeeping

Honey Tasting Contest – Guidelines

One $5 Ticket gets you a taste of ALL the entries and the winning beekeeper takes home the $$! (Email DanielCunningham@Rootedin.com to enter your honey)

For Beekeepers

• Bring: One 16 oz (1 pint) food-safe squeeze bottle (clear plastic or honey bear style with flip-top lid).
• Amount: A full bottle is enough for ~50 tasters with extra for spills?
• Labeling: No names, logos, or identifying marks — blind tasting.
• Arrival: Check in and set up at the Entry Table between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
• If Needed: We can provide a squeeze bottle — let us know ahead of time.

For Honey Tasters

1. Check In at the Entry Table

• Get your $5 voting ticket at the front register.
• Volunteers will explain how tasting works.

2. Taste at the Tasting Tables

• Two round tables will have all honey entries, numbered for fairness.
• At each honey:
  • Take one clean, compostable spoon from the cup.
  • Squeeze honey from the bottle into your spoon.
  • Taste, then toss spoon in the bin.

3. Vote

• After tasting, place your ticket in the Ticket Jar for your favorite honey at the Entry Table.
• Votes will be counted at 2:00 p.m., and the winner announced shortly after.

Sanitation Rules

• Honey is served only from squeeze bottles.
• One compostable spoon per taste — please avoid reusing utensils. (they will be composted)
• Volunteers will restock spoons, keep tables clean, and help guide you.

This sheet will be posted at:

• Entry Table
• Each tasting table
• Door to the tasting facility
• Door to the main event space
• Door to the speaker area