About this project
I’m starting Mad Urban Bees LLC, one of the first urban apiaries in the country. This honey is from the flowers, trees, parks, and gardens of Madison itself. And I need your help to make that happen.
What are you going to use this fundraising for?
I’m using Kickstarter to raise the money to buy hives, bees, queens, and
equipment. I’m a beekeeper of 5 years. I have two hives in my backyard,
however I am looking to expand that to 40-50 next spring. My hives
will be hosted by local businesses and residents of the Madison
metropolitan area. My bees will be pollinating the gardens and flowers
of the city itself. This honey is unique to Madison, a truly artisanal, unique honey.
Where are your hives located?
My hives are hosted in the city of Madison itself: in backyards, back lots, and on rooftops. My hosts are bee advocates--they are people who want bees in the city and understand the benefit that bees bring to our ecosystem in urban food landscape.
Why Madison?
There are actually a lot of urban beekeepers in Madison, and we are a pretty pro-bee town. Madison also has a very strong local food movement. I’m really excited about being a part of that.
Why do you keep bees in he city?
Bees thrive in the city. They actually can do better in the city than in the country. Cities have so many flowering trees, gardens, and ornamental flowers. They have such a wonderful variety of nectar and pollen to choose from. Madison also has a longer growing season than the surrounding farmland.
What do the bees eat in the city?
Everything. They eat pollen and nectar from basswood, apple and
crabapple trees, dandelions, creeping charlie, bergamot, sedum, asters,
mint, oregano, roses, and so many others. And this variety of sources really
improves the health of the bees and the taste of the honey.
What kind of honey is it?
People ask me, "What kind of honey is this?" I tell them, “its everything
that’s blooming when the bees are around. Its honeysuckle, goldenrod,
vegetables in the garden, crab apple blossoms, even dandelions.”
How does the honey taste?
My honey has a unique flavor that is light, floral, and spicy. It also changes with the seasons. I plan to extract honey from my hives several times a year to showcase the changing of the seasons and flavors in the honey.
What are the benefits to urban honey?
For people who use honey to combat their allergies, this is a great product. The urban honey contains the pollen from flowers and trees in the neighborhoods where they live. It's hard to get more local than that. You are also helping pollinate your garden and you neighbors' garden. You are helping the city grow and thrive.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
153
Backers
$10,221
pledged of $7,000 goal
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 3.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A personal thank you and updates on the project's progress.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Honey! A 5oz jar of Urban Honey! This raw honey has a unique flavor that is light, floral, and spicy.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Two 10oz jars of Urban Honey. What's better than a jar of honey? Two jars of course!
Pledge $60 or more Pledge $60 or more
NEW: A 5oz Jar of Urban Honey from Mad Urban Bees, and a copy of "Vanishing of the Bees". $10 of each donation will go to Vanishing of the Bees.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Season Pack: Four 10oz jars of Urban Honey. This pack of honey will showcase the seasonality of urban honey. You will also get a T-shirt with the Mad Urban Bees LLC logo.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Beekeeper's Dozen: You will receive a case of twelve 10oz jars of Urban Honey and two T-shirts. These jars will be bottled with honey throughout the year, so you can taste the change in the seasons.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Dinner for Two: A four-course meal for two. The entire meal will be prepared with honey, from drinks to desserts. You do need to be able to visit Madison, WI to claim this pledge. You will also receive the beekeeper's dozen of Urban Honey, two T-shirts, and a bee hive donated in your name to Heifer International.
Project By
Connected as Nathan Clarke (231 friends)
I am a beekeeper, mead maker, bread baker, and kraut fermenter. I am creating one of the first urban beekeeping businesses in the country. I am a locavore, and love living in Madison, WI.
