My story about how I became the Bee Lady
My name is Sara Russ, and I’d like to share with you the incredible journey that led me to become The Bee Lady. It all started when my husband, Dallas, decided to take up beekeeping…
Initially I was reluctant to help. There were three things I knew about bees. They pollinate, they make honey, and they STING! It was the third thing I wanted nothing to do with. But over time I came to realise that they weren’t out to get me and that I could move comfortably past the hives without being bothered by them.
Dallas quickly became passionate about creating more hives and building his numbers by collecting swarms around the city. As much as Dallas loved beekeeping, his busy IT job often kept him occupied, leaving him unable to attend to the swarm calls that came in. That’s when he started calling me to go and collect the bees whenever there was a swarm alert.
When I would call ahead to enquire about the location of the swarm I would hear people say, “The Bee Lady is on the phone,” or when I arrived children would excitedly exclaim, “Mum! The Bee Lady is here!” This is how I became to be known as the Bee Lady.
Often I would arrive to collect a swarm only to find it had been hosed down in an attempt to get them to move on. One time somebody had lit a fire beneath them thinking the smoke would make them leave. I realized that many people didn’t understand the bees’ behavior, were afraid of them, and had very little knowledge about their crucial role in our environment. It struck me that there was an opportunity here—to teach people about bees and rekindle that lost connection.
With a degree in Early Childhood and a 4-year-old daughter attending Kindergarten, I knew the importance of education. I decided to start by visiting her Kindergarten and showing the children the wonders of bees. I already had an observational beehive which we used when taking our honey to the markets. Their excitement and curiosity fueled my passion to reach more young minds.
I began visiting other Early Childhood centers and primary schools, spreading knowledge about the importance of bees and their role in pollination. The more I shared, the more I realized the impact I could make in helping people appreciate and understand these amazing pollinators.
Word of my visits spread, and soon, I was visiting intermediate schools, colleges, garden clubs, and even 60’s up groups. The response was heartwarming as people of all ages showed interest and curiosity about bees.
I also started hosting Backyard Bee Experiences, where adults and children could come and explore the world of bees firsthand. It was incredible to witness their amazement and fascination as they learned about beekeeping, tasted honey straight from the hive, and made their own beeswax candles.
As my journey as The Bee Lady continued, I saw the impact of education in bridging the gap between people and bees. Fear turned into admiration, and people began to appreciate the vital role that bees play in our environment.
I am grateful for this journey that has allowed me to combine my passion for education with my love for bees. Becoming The Bee Lady has been an incredible adventure, something I would have never imagined I would become, and I’m excited to continue spreading the buzz about bees.
Straight from our hives to your home
