First Lady Melania Trump has revealed an expansion to the White House honey program with the introduction of a newly built and fully operational beehive on the South Lawn. This intricately designed hive, crafted by a local artisan to resemble the White House itself, will house two additional bee colonies alongside the existing ones that produce the well-known White House honey.
With the new hive, annual honey production is projected to increase by roughly 30 pounds. This boost will enhance the honey’s use in crafting White House culinary creations, offering official gifts from the President and First Lady, and contributing to charitable food donations for local kitchens.
The additional hive will aid the current colonies in pollinating the nearby White House Kitchen Garden, the Flower Cutting Garden, and the vegetation on the National Mall. It will also serve as an educational attraction, providing visitors on the South Lawn a chance to observe a working bee colony and learn directly about pollination and food production.
To view an official video by the Office of the First Lady showcasing the expanded beehive, click here.
Additional Background:
The White House beekeeping initiative officially began in 2009, initiated by Charlie Brandt, the White House Carpenter, who took up beekeeping as a hobby on the premises. This practice has since become a longstanding tradition on the South Grounds.
During the peak of summer, the existing hives can reach a population of around 70,000 bees, producing between 200 and 225 pounds of honey in a fruitful year. The addition of the new hive is anticipated to eventually boost production to between 230 and 255 pounds, or even more.
White House honey is celebrated for its light clover and basswood taste, with subtle citrus notes. Executive Residence chefs utilize it for sweetening teas, crafting salad dressings, and creating desserts. The expansion, funded by the Trust for the National Mall, continues a tradition of stewardship through various administrations, complementing the Kitchen Garden, the Flower Cutting Garden, and other beekeeping endeavors now overseen by White House Chief Horticulturist Dale Haney and local beekeepers. The new hive and its base were designed by the White House Executive Residence staff and handcrafted by a local Virginia artisan.
