African Bee Hive [editor - and Moringa]

Ron Angert of the Haitian Agricultural Mission is actively promoting beekeeping and making a new kind of hive called an African hive. He says he can produce it for about half the cost of a standard hive. One cost saving factor is that a starter comb is not used. The bees instead start their comb around a wood component cut at the same angle as the angle found in honey comb. We can send you plans if requested.

Ron is also considering planting benzolive (Moringa oleifera) as a year-round source of nectar and a very nutritious food or feed. Leaves, seeds and young pods are edible, and the roots can be used as a substitute for horseradish. Beth Mayhood of the Grace Mountain Mission in Haiti has had success in introducing benzolive to the local diet and has written a short report on the tree (available on request). This tree goes from seed to flower in about ten months! It is said to be one of the few trees which flower year-round in Florida. I am told that it is called “Mother’s best friend” in the Philippines. If benzolive is not being grown in your area, I have small quantities of seed for distribution and can no doubt arrange for larger quantities through Haitian colleagues.