Growing up around a family of ranchers and farmers from Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Upper School digital services librarian Mrs. Daisy Ngo learned at a young age the importance and value of life.
Nuevo Leon, best known for its sheep and cattle production, contrasts sharply with an urban environment like Houston, where such agricultural traditions are rare.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Ngo sought a personal hobby to engage in. She turned to beekeeping as a close alternative to traditional farming like her family did in Mexico, recognizing its suitability and sustainability for Houston’s urban environment.
“Beekeeping is my version of raising livestock,” Mrs. Ngo said.
Mrs. Ngo’s honeybee adventure has grown to include five Langstroth hives, marking an important milestone in her career as a beekeeper. To reach this level of expertise, she devoted countless hours to beekeeping classes at the Two Hives Honey Ranch, where she learned the intricacies of keeping her bees safe and nurtured.
During her studies, she learned important skills such as donning protective suits and using an Epipen in emergency situations, ensuring both her safety and the well-being of her bees.
While beekeeping school provided valuable knowledge, Mrs. Ngo’s personal experiences also played an important role in her beekeeping career.
One memorable incident occurred when she was moving the bees home at sunset and she was stung 15 times. As a result of a severe reaction, she had to use her Epipen.
“This experience taught me a valuable lesson that bees are especially sensitive at sunset and prefer not to be disturbed,” Ngo said. “It was my most miserable day.”
Despite the ups and downs of beekeeping, she said she loves it. On her best day in the apiary, she held a queen cell as she emerged.
“This day opened my eyes to how fascinating and helping bees are as both an art and a science,” Ngo said.
Ms. Ngo carefully tends to her apiary, picking times when nature cooperates for her to harvest excess honey and put honeycombs up for sale. Every profit has been reinvested in the apiary at Old Hec Ranch, which has become like family to Mrs. Ngo.
“I hope to establish a community of Latin American beekeepers in South Texas,” she said. “I am motivated by my family’s agricultural roots and cultivation background. I aim to build a supportive network that celebrates our common heritage and love of beekeeping.”
