Tempe Man Takes on Honeybees
By John Faherty, The Arizona Republic, Mar. 1, 2006
Honeybees are important to our world. They make honey, of course, but they also pollinate crops and home gardens and wildflowers.
Honeybees are important to Jesse Cameron on a much smaller scale.
Eighteen months ago, Cameron was struggling with what he called "serious depression issues."
He was treated by Value Options, which provides mental-health services to Maricopa County's uninsured.
"I had really just given up on life. I wasn't really crazy. I wasn't suicidal or homicidal or anything. I just didn't want to do anything."
With a lot of hard work, he got better. Now he has a full-time job at Value Options and a second job as a beekeeper. It's the second job that brings him much joy.
Cameron, who lives in Tempe, keeps 34 hives at an old ranch in the West Valley.
But like many beekeepers, his bees have been in California to help pollinate almond trees. The bees help by flying from blossom to blossom, gathering pollen in sacs on their legs and collecting nectar. Along the way, some of the pollen from one bloom sticks to another, fertilizing the trees to produce the almonds, which is technically a fruit.
The annual pollination of California's almonds in February is the largest annual managed pollination event in the world.
Cameron, 30, grew up around bees. "Both of my parents shared an interest in bees and beekeeping. I remember making candles as a child."
He runs the bee business with his father, and it keeps the two of them pretty busy. That's why February is a little bit weird.
"I actually do miss them when they are gone," Cameron said. "And I know my gut misses them because I put on a few pounds because I am not as active."
In addition to help him with his depression, Value Options also gave Cameron a $15,000 grant through a program that invests money in businesses that help the mentally ill and those run by clients.
"The money helped significantly. The first half I applied mostly to my vehicle expenses and the second half I will invest in extraction equipment."
And has he ever been stung. "Oh, yes," he said. "I've been stung many, many times."