WEST CAPE MAY — The Environmental Commissions of Cape May, Cape May Point and West Cape May have joined together to present BEES, with guest speakers Gary G. Schempp and Ali Moussalli. Join us for this free program on the importance of the honeybee today and what we in Cape May County can do to help insure their survival in the future. Beekeeper, Gary G. Schempp, will speak on the importance of saving honeybees and honeybee rescue and what you as an individual can do to help. Ali Moussalli, farm manager at Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May will explain the importance of honeybees at Beach Plum Farm and their bee project. A representative from Senator Jeff Van Drew’s office will also speak on bee protection legislation.
The presentation is free and open to the public. It will take place from 10-11 a.m. on Nov. 19 at West Cape May Borough Hall located at 732 Broadway in West Cape May.
According to The New Jersey Beekeepers Association web site, “Flowers make the pollen and nectar that insects need for food. As insects travel from flower to flower in search of food, pollen brushes off on their bodies and is transferred from one flower to another. This process is called pollination, and the insects and animals who do this important job are called pollinators. Without them, about 85% of all plants would be unable to produce seeds or fruit. In fact, pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat!”
Local Cape May County Resident, Gary G. Schempp, is a beekeeper and business owner. He is a member of the Jersey Cape Beekeepers Association and the South Jersey Beekeepers Association, which are both branches of the New Jersey Beekeepers Association. He maintains beehives on his 12 acre farm at 80 South Route 47 in Cape May Court House, which includes a 300 tree beach plum orchard, a small vineyard, a vegetable garden, a wildflower pasture, and of course, honey bees. He also maintains hives at various other farms, wooded lots and properties throughout the county. Schempp started his business, Busy Bees NJ, in 2010 to concentrate his efforts on working with and saving honeybees. He specializes in locating, removing and then re-locating honeybees from structures where they are not wanted to hives on farms or to other beekeepers where the bees are most welcome. He and his wife Erin sell honey & other hive products, at their farm as well as local stores, farmer’s markets and events.
Ali Moussalli is the farm manager at the 62-acre Beach Plum Farm at 140 Stevens Street in West Cape May. More than 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown and harvested at the farm for the restaurant kitchens of The Ebbitt Room, Blue Pig Tavern and Rusty Nail.
After the presentation there will be a honey tasting and products available for sale. Light refreshments wil be served. Both Gary G. Schempp and Ali Moussalli will be on hand to answer questions at this point. For more information please call (609) 884-0780. You can also visit Busy Bees at BusyBeesNJ.com and Beach Plum Farm at www.caperesorts.com/experiences/capemay/beachplumfarm/
For More Information About Honey Bees In New Jersey, please feel free to visit the State of NJ Website: www.njbeekeepers.org and www.facebook.com/jerseycapebeekeepersassociation