Host Spotlight: Amy Singleton

Amy has always been a dedicated and enthusiastic host with Buddha Bee, actively participating in hive inspections and deeply involved in caring for her bees. Her passion for the environment is evident in many aspects of her life. Beyond beekeeping, she tends to her 16 chickens, each lovingly adorned with names like 'Saltine,' 'Dollop,' and 'Ms. Pearl.' Her yard is a peaceful sanctuary, with a thriving garden and frequent visits from a family of deer, including one affectionately named "Mama" that Amy can easily recognize due to her injured leg. Her lawn is not traditional grass that needs constant maintenance, but instead is "stitch grass," which doesn't require mowing and actually provides vitamin D for her chickens' eggs! 

Amy's beekeeping journey began in 2017, following the passing of her father, for whom she was a caregiver. Seeking a positive and purposeful activity, she became captivated by the harmonious and collaborative nature of bees. She joined the Orange County Bee Association to deepen her knowledge and connect with fellow bee enthusiasts.

From 2017 to 2020, Amy maintained her own hives, taking great joy in the process. However, the challenges of 2020 shifted her family dynamics and she also had unfortunately lost one of her hives during the previous winter. In early 2021, she connected with Buddha Bee by submitting a detailed property assessment, which she jokingly referred to as a "tome." Alfredo, a former Buddha Bee team member, was so impressed by her passion that he jokingly asked, "Do you want to host hives or get a job!?" By August 2021, Amy officially became a Buddha Bee host, and her bright, colorful hive equipment still houses her bees today.

Since becoming a host, Amy has only experienced one winter hive loss. She continues to focus on supporting her bees' pollination efforts, prioritizing the health of her yard and garden over honey production. When she manages to harvest honey, she rents equipment from the Orange County Beekeepers Association and extracts it herself! She describes the process as "messy, time-consuming, and requiring focus," but it's something she looks forward to each year.

In early 2020, Amy briefly considered pursuing the NCSBA certification, but the pandemic caused her to take a step back from bees. Despite this, she continues to learn from Buddha Bee inspections and deeply appreciates the knowledge and passion Justin and his team bring to the work. Amy cherishes her bees for their companionship and enjoys sharing the responsibility of their care with Buddha Bee, knowing firsthand the dedication required year-round. She always says "It's one of my favorite times when you come out!" highlighting her admiration for Justin and the team.

Thank you, Amy!