The Meskwaki Settlement is home to approximately 15 beehive colonies strategically placed around the community. These hives are located near gardens in need of pollinators, where the bees play a vital role in supporting the growth of plants and vegetables. Key areas for these hives include the Meskwaki Settlement School Gardens, the Senior Gardens across from the Tribal Center, East Gardens, and a majority of the hives are located right here at Red Earth Gardens, with plans to expand in 2025.
Beeswax collected from the 2023 and 2024 honey harvests at REG is primarily derived from leftover honeycomb scraps at the end of each season. The REG team has developed a step-by-step process to transform these scraps into usable beeswax:
1. Boiling: The honeycomb scraps are mixed with water and boiled. This step helps separate the wax from impurities, which are then filtered out.
2. Cooling: After boiling, the wax is allowed to cool and solidify, separating it from the remaining water.
3. Straining: The solidified wax is melted again and passed through a cheesecloth to remove any remaining impurities.
4. Molding: The final purified wax is poured into molds to create beeswax bars. It can also be blended with other ingredients, such as essential oils, to create products like candles, lip balm, and chapstick.
This project started as a trial to assess the feasibility of the process, and we hope that it meets with positive feedback. If the community expresses a demand for more beeswax-based products, REG will consider expanding the project. We are excited to share this process and product with you, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we have!
~ Waylon Wolf, Red Earth Gardens Instructional Farm Manager