Bees have been part of Los Poblanos for two decades. What began with a few Top Bar hives tended by owner Armin Rembe in 2005 has grown into a thriving program rooted in education, research and the farm's enduring commitment to sustainable stewardship. This spring, the hives are waking up, and there is much to share.
UPDATE FROM THE HIVES
Beekeeping at Los Poblanos has always been about more than honey. It is part of how the farm tends to the land, supports the ecosystem and connects guests and community to the agricultural practices that define this place. As the hives come alive this spring, resident Beekeeper Lara Lovell, ensures that tradition continues.
Four of six hives survived the winter and are already carrying in pollen, an encouraging sign that the season is well underway. The crab apple tree near the Meem rooms is buzzing with activity. Queen breeding continues, and Lara is test marketing a new beekeeping product recently arrived from Korea.
Pollinator research and community impact
The pollinator patch near the bee house is more than a garden, it is an active research site. Lara has shared pollen samples with researchers at NMSU and will this year also contribute to a National Pollen Database being developed by Oregon State University, one that will be accessible to researchers and the public alike.
That work extends beyond the farm. Lara has submitted a letter of intent to the One Hive Foundation for a grant that would fund the creation of pollinator zones throughout New Mexico, a statewide effort she envisions as a kind of garden tour, bringing together the Master Gardeners, the Xerces Society, the Native Plant Society and beekeeper associations across the state. The goal is to help communities grow their own pollinator-friendly plantings and, in doing so, support the health of bees across the region.
HISTORY OF BEEKEEPING ON THE FARM
In 1976, Penny and Armin Rembe and their children moved to Los Poblanos and began maintaining the property as gentlemen farmers. Three of Armin's original Top Bar hives have been restored and remain in use in the lavender fields today. In 2019, a Slovenian bee house was constructed on the property, housing AZ hives, a design created by Anton Žnideršič in Slovenia over 100 years ago. With separate brood and honey chambers, the design allows each to be inspected without disturbing the other, a quiet innovation that has stood the test of time.
Lara has cared for the hives for more than seven years. In addition to tending the bees, she distills essential oils, tends the greenhouse, harvests and processes herbs for the gin and wholesale products, and leads farm tours. During the summer months, she hosts "Meet the Beekeeper" tours for Inn guests and has converted one of the AZ hives into a hands-on classroom filled with photos and bee details. She also serves as President of the NM Beekeepers Association and facilitates their Certified Beekeeper program.