In a recent interview at the San Agustín Filosofado Major Seminary, Fr. Alonso Restrepo revealed the fascinating history of Apiarios La Candelaria. Although its roots date back to the Desierto de la Candelaria, this beekeeping practice has flourished for decades at the La Linda Seminary (Manizales, Colombia). As he explained, beekeeping began in 1933 with rudimentary methods. “Back then, honey was extracted artisanally, draining the honeycombs by hand. Today, that is no longer done,” said Fr. Alonso.
The arrival of P. Darío Puerta in 1958 marked a turning point for this tradition. “P. Darío, a self-taught man passionate about bees, became the most important beekeeper in Colombia,” Fr. Alonso highlighted. His impact was so significant that he gave lectures in the United States, Europe, and even Japan, positioning Colombian beekeeping on the international stage.
The link between bees and coffee
One of P. Puerta’s greatest contributions was demonstrating the importance of bees in coffee cultivation, a vital relationship that he supported together with the Coffee Growers Federation. “Each coffee flower needs to be pollinated by a bee for the fruit to grow. This shows the relevance of beehives for our coffee region,” explained Fr. Alonso, emphasizing how pollination directly influences the productivity of coffee, an economic pillar of the country.
Sustainable production and modern techniques
Sustainable production and modern techniquesCurrently, Apiarios La Candelaria has about 300 active hives, with an annual production of between 8 and 9 tons of honey. Although these numbers are far from the 100 tons that were reached at the height of beekeeping in the seminary, the operation remains an example of sustainability and quality. Thanks to the modernization of the processes, the use of centrifuges allows extracting up to 1,200 kilos of honey in a single operation.
A practice with a vision for the future
Despite current challenges, such as the decrease in available flora, Apiarios La Candelaria continues to advance. In addition to producing honey, the seminary’s work includes breeding queens and forming nuclei that are moved to the field once strengthened.
“Our commitment is not only to honey but also to the balance of our ecosystem. Each hive is a small but powerful testimony to our respect for nature.”
This story not only narrates the evolution of beekeeping at the La Linda Seminary but also celebrates a tradition that combines innovation and sustainability, leaving a sweet legacy for future generations.
