Scene Magazine | Winter 2021
Ambrose Bee Company co-owner John Foreman '85 describes beekeeping as a way to pursue the Ambrosian value of lifelong learning.
"No one could ever say, 'I know everything about beekeeping,' and that's why it appeals to me," he said. "You're always learning."
John and his wife, Christy, began beekeeping near their home in Nashville, Tennessee, eight years ago as a hobby. Today, they have a dozen hives which are home to a half million bees.
As for the other kind of Bees - the Fighting Bee kind - John and Christy receive help with extracting honey each year from their neighbors and fellow alumni Mary (Brown) '83 and Chris Corby '85, their daughter Sophia Foreman ‘16 and her fiancé Ryan Noone ‘16.
"We produce about 35 gallons of honey a year," John said. "We certainly don't make a living just off of honey, but we do sell it and share with our neighbors and friends. There's also a local caterer who loves to cook with our honey so much she buys it by the gallon."
John says he and Christy don't have plans to expand the business any time soon but look forward to spending more time beekeeping when they retire.
As for naming the business after John's alma mater, that came as naturally as his honey.
"You can't be a St. Ambrose graduate, and a beekeeper, and not somehow incorporate St. Ambrose in your beekeeping," he said.
–Lindsey Row '16
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