Collecting the bees' liquid gold. On Sunday, September 20, Amma Canada volunteers and Bees Are Life staff gathered at the Amma Canada Centre in Georgetown for the annual harvest of the honey made by the bees on the property. Guided by our dedicated and experienced beekeepers, Pauline and Cathy, volunteers learned every step of the craft — from uncapping the wax-sealed frames to spinning them in the extractor. Even a few curious bees and wandering wasps hovered nearby to watch.
The transformation of nectar into honey is remarkable. Worker bees spend countless hours gathering nectar and carrying it back to the hive, where it is passed from bee to bee, each exchange adding enzymes that break down the complex sugars. Stored in the honeycomb, it gradually becomes honey; the bees fan their wings to reduce its moisture before sealing each cell with wax. It is a beautiful example of the cooperation, organization and communication that make a colony thrive — and a reminder of how much these tiny pollinators support our ecosystems and communities.
We harvested approximately 168 pounds of liquid honey, which now needs to be bottled. If you would like to help with the bottling, please contact Pauline or email ammatoronto@ammagroups.org. Once bottled, the honey will be available for purchase, with a significant portion donated to local food banks in the Georgetown area.
A heartfelt thank-you to all the volunteers whose enthusiasm and hard work made the day both productive and enjoyable. As we celebrate Vishwa Seva Dinam on September 27, let us reflect on the many ways we help fulfil Amma's dream of selfless service. Together, we become Amma's hands. Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.
