When Calvin Alexander was a young student in an agricultural program, he watched as a beekeeper, in short-sleeves and jeans, gathered a swarm of honeybees and put them into a box.
People nearby were in awe as the man went about his business. “I was very impressed by that,” said Alexander, who would later move from his home in Trinidad and Tobago to pursue a degree at the University of Rhode Island.
Alexander went on to become a field scientist, but he never lost his fascination with bees. When he and his wife were house hunting, one of their requirements was enough of a yard to accommodate a few hives.
For a few years, those Warwick-based hives were a hobby. But he kept expanding. In July, with 10 active hives in production, Alexander opened Bailey Beattie Apiaries LLC.
The young business provides honey to the Industrious Spirit Co. distillery in Providence, which infuses it into specialty drinks. But otherwise, Alexander mostly sells his product to friends and acquaintances.
His bees are a study in intelligence, division of labor and industriousness.
“I grew up in the countryside. Everyday life for me was growing what we ate,” he said. “When I got into beekeeping, it was an extension of that.”
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Macdonald@PBN.com.