BEE DAY and Honey Tasting (8/29)

Join us at Rooted In for a day dedicated to bees, pollinators, honey, and the incredible role they play in our gardens, farms, and ecosystems. Whether you’re a curious beginner, a gardener looking to support pollinators, or an experienced beekeeper, Bee Day is designed to be a fun, educational, and community-focused event for all ages!

• Educational presentations from experienced beekeepers and pollinator experts
• Practical information for beginning and experienced beekeepers
• Tips for supporting honey bees, native bees, and other pollinators
• Opportunities to ask questions directly to our featured speakers

• Observation hive demonstrations (weather and bee conditions permitting)
• Pollinator-friendly plants and habitat ideas
• Educational displays highlighting bee biology, pollination, and the importance of insects in our food system

• Texas native plants and pollinator plants
• Bee-themed gifts and garden items
• Honey, beeswax products, and offerings from local vendors

• Meet local beekeepers, gardeners, and pollinator enthusiasts
• Visit educational booths and vendor displays
• Learn how you can support pollinators in your own landscape

One of the highlights of Bee Day!

Sample a wide variety of local honeys and vote for your favorite.

All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the winning beekeeper!

Taste the differences that nectar sources, seasons, and local conditions create in honey and discover just how diverse honey can be.

Joe Cunningham

Presentation: 35 minutes
Q&A: 10 minutes

Why buy bees when you can invite them to move in for free?

Join Cornell Master Beekeeper Joe Cunningham, owner of Longhorn Apiary, for a fun, science-based exploration of honey bee swarms and the art of swarm trapping. Whether you’re brand new to beekeeping or looking to sharpen your skills, Joe will explain what drives swarming behavior, what scout bees look for in a new home, and the principles behind successful swarm trapping. Blending proven science with practical techniques, real-world experience, and a few laughs, you’ll learn how to prepare for swarm season and be ready when your next colony comes looking for a place to call home.

10:15–10:35 AM — Break/ Visit Honey Tasting, Vendors & Observation Hive

Presentation: 35 minutes
Q&A: 10 minutes

Join Texas A&M Master Craftsman Beekeeper Michelle Boerst, owner of Bursting Bees and an experienced urban beekeeper, for a practical look at using hive boxes to your advantage and making them work together throughout the year. Michelle will explore how thoughtful hive box management can help beekeepers respond to changing colony needs while working toward their individual apiary goals. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to become more intentional with your equipment, you’ll leave with a better understanding of when, why, and how to adjust your hive configuration through the seasons.

11:20–11:45 AM — Break/ Visit Honey Tasting, Vendors & Observation Hive

Presentation: 55 minutes
Q&A: 10 minutes

Join Texas Master Naturalist Carol Clark, Conservation Specialist with Monarch Watch and co-administrator of the Texas Native Bee Co-op, for a fascinating look at the incredible diversity of Texas’ native bees. Learn how these remarkable pollinators survive our challenging climate, why they are essential to healthy landscapes, and how to recognize many of the species living right in your own backyard. Carol will share practical ways to create native bee habitat with the right plants and nesting sites while introducing opportunities to participate in citizen science efforts that help conserve these important pollinators.

12:50–1:30 PM — Lunchbreak, Honey Tasting, Vendors & Observation Hive

Presentation: 35 minutes
Q&A: 10 minutes

Join University of Florida Master Beekeeper Tim Branam, owner of 3 Bees Apiary and President of the Cooke County Texas Beekeepers Association, for a practical guide to more effective hive inspections. Many new beekeepers inspect too often, while experienced beekeepers can sometimes become too complacent. Tim will share how to strike the right balance by knowing what to look for, what healthy colonies should be doing throughout the season, and when your bees are telling you it’s time to take action.

Drawing from years of hands-on experience, Tim will share practical observations and proven techniques that take the mystery out of hive inspections, helping you make more confident management decisions and become a more observant beekeeper.

Panel Discussion: 30 minutes

Join Joe Cunningham, Michelle Boerst, Carol Clark, and Tim Branam for an interactive audience Q&A covering honey bees, native bees, hive management, swarm trapping, pollinator habitat, seasonal challenges, and more.

Moderated by Daniel Cunningham, this is your opportunity to bring your questions, hear different perspectives, and learn directly from four experienced bee and pollinator experts.

2:45–3:00 PM — Closing Remarks, Meet the Speakers & Last-Minute Shopping

Throughout the day, visitors will have opportunities to learn about:

• Honey bees
• Native bees
• Pollinator gardening
• Habitat creation
• Sustainable gardening practices
• Beekeeping basics
• Honey production and extraction

Bee Day is designed to be enjoyable for all ages, with opportunities to learn about bees and other pollinators through demonstrations, educational booths, activities, and interactive displays.

Rooted In opens at 9:00 AM, giving you plenty of time to shop, explore, and get settled before the first presentation begins at 9:30 AM.

And there’s no need to rush out after Bee Day—the nursery will remain open until 5:00 PM.

Rooted In
12804 Pelzel Rd
Pilot Point, TX 76258

Saturday, August 29, 2026