First Lady Expands White House Honey Program

First Lady Melania Trump revealed on Friday that she is enhancing the White House honey initiative with a notable addition on the South Lawn, including a new, fully operational beehive designed to resemble the presidential residence.

A video shared by her office showcased the newly expanded facility created with the help of staff at the White House Executive Residence, which is now buzzing with bees.

The new hive, crafted by local Virginia artisans and styled to mirror the White House, will introduce two new bee colonies alongside the existing two already on the grounds.

The White House noted that this enhancement could boost honey production by approximately 30 pounds each year. This extra honey will be utilized in preparing meals at the White House, offered as official gifts from the president and first lady, and will aid in donating healthy food to local kitchens, as mentioned by her office.

Funded by the National Mall Trust, this project will also support the current bee colonies in pollinating plants in the adjacent White House Kitchen Garden, cutting garden, and the National Mall.

Additionally, the new installation may serve as an educational feature, allowing visitors to the South Lawn to observe a working bee colony and gain insights about pollination and food production.

The White House beekeeping program originated in 2009 when White House carpenter Charlie Blunt began keeping bees on the property as a personal hobby.

The first lady’s office described this initiative as having evolved into an “enduring tradition.”