The first season of the Auburn International Farmers Market introduced the community to a variety of local farmers’ right in our back yard. As the AIFM market manager, I have an interest in all the market vendors and a curiosity regarding their journey and connection to farming.

One vendor is Auburn’s Dallas Barkubein, better known as Grandpa Bee’s Comb Honey. Here is his story.

He first became interested in beekeeping in 1945 at the age of 8 when he was visiting his neighbor and saw four bee colonies in his yard. Two colonies were open, allowing him to observe the bees at work, which he found fascinating.

He asked his parents if he could have some bees. They replied, “We’ll think about it.”

For four years, Dallas continued to asked his parents for a colony of bees with no response.

Well, on his 12th birthday, to his surprise there was a colony of bees in his yard just for him.

He continued to add more colonies – until there were 15 colonies by the time he graduated from high school.

After graduating, he joined the military and while away, his family cared for his bees and honey. Unfortunately, they ended up selling the colonies before he returned home.

Once he arrived home, he started over, and Dallas today has a total of 40 colonies.

In 1978, he became interested in producing comb honey, and that is all he does today.

The “rounds” or “flats” are placed directly in the hive for the bees to fill, and when it is time to “harvest,” the “rounds” or “flat” are removed from the hives and lids are placed on both sides to protect the comb, making Comb Honey 100-percent processed and sealed by the bees and untouched by human hands.

You can contact Dallas at 253-288-3677. Come and meet Grandpa Bee’s Comb Honey and other vendors at the AIFM.

The market opens for its second season on Sunday,

June 13. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Sunday through Sept. 26 at the Auburn Station Plaza, 23 A St. SW.

For more details, visit www.auburnfarmersmarket.com.

– Lillie Brinker is the AIFM market manager.