Locals talk

Dan Conlon

Professional beekeeper

My favorite things to do include:
Learning; activities that bring me closer to the natural world; playing and listening to music; enjoying good conversation.
I was born in:
Northampton, grew up in Ohio, and returned to western Massachusetts in the seventies. The rolling hills and landscapes have always felt like home.
I currently live in:
South Deerfield with my wife Bonita on our eighty acre bee farm, Warm Colors Apiary.
How I earn my bread and butter:
Bonita & I are professional beekeepers. We raise honeybees to produce honey, beeswax and to provide pollination services to local growers. Our beeyards are located throughout the western Massachusetts area.
Five things I love about the Deerfield and Pioneer Valley area:
1. The people of western Massachusetts. The diversity of opinion, life style, and that good old Yankee value of self-reliance makes the Pioneer Valley a life adventure filled with meaningful interaction.
2. Food & drink. Good food, great chefs, Berkshire Brewing Co. and the many fine restaurants and pubs make our area one of the best for dining & places to meet friends.
3. Local politics. We can still go to a town meeting and speak our minds. Living in a community where people are proud of their town and participate in its governance is empowering & gives us the real democratic experience.
4. Nature. We live in the natural beauty of fields, woodlands, ponds and streams. Bonita & I enjoy canoeing, walking, and driving, the waters, trails and roads of Franklin County. There are few places we enjoy visiting as much as we love being home.
5. Events. Music, festivals, crafts shows, garden tours, speakers, education, and community organizations sponsor cultural events year round. We are fortunate to live in a place that attracts so many artists, musicians, writers and creative people.
My favorite local hidden treasure you shouldn't miss:
The small farms that still provide us with an abundance of fresh food, open space, and an opportunity to experience nature's beauty. Farmers are our hidden treasure.