The Story of Us

Pam Palmer and Gary Adkison are both quick to say that the bees brought them together. Gary was doing his best to forge a new career in beekeeping after the recession of 07/08 ended (so he thought) his thirty year construction career. He loved his hometown of Wewahitchka and beekeeping runs as deep there as the muddy waters of the Apalachicola River. Pam had been a public educator (counselor and principal) for 21 years in Gulf County, when she felt the leading to step out into the Great Unknown. It was during this time in both of their lives that the hum of bees and new beginnings began to buzz.

Gary was looking for someone who could help him run the business end of things in his fledgling beekeeping endeavor, and Pam was looking to explore and experience. She often said, during the year in between education and beekeeping (and soon construction), if it wasn’t illegal, immoral, or unethical and she hadn’t tried it, the answer would be, Yes! So during her  year long sabbatical, she worked as a barista, cleaned condos, answered phones, hiked and kayaked, meditated and prayed, read and studied great spiritual teachers, and practiced a LOT of yoga!

In the most serendipitous recrossing of paths, as Pam sat answering phones at her part-time job, she noticed a social media post showing that Gary Adkison had gotten 500 hives of bees. This piqued her interest, as she had only known of him as a carpenter and a father of quite a few children, some of whom she had served as guidance counselor or principal. Since her current job was wrapping up, she was looking to line up her next experience. She decided she would reach out to Gary to see if he would teach her something about beekeeping. But, before she could, after not talking in years, Gary messaged her, “Ms. Pam. I sure would like to show you what we are doing here with the bees.” Well, even Pam, who believes in Mystery, was surprised by this. She respond with, “Well, you might not believe this, but I was actually going to reach out to you today about the very same thing.”

And out of what began as a business proposition with no money and a lot of hard work, a love story began. Pam has often said, we were like a young couple starting out, except for the young part! Today, Pam and Gary run two  businesses, North Gulf Apiaries, home of “Blue-Eyed Girl Honey,” and Hive and Home Residential Construction. Since Gary had been a builder his entire adult life, Pam soon tested for and acquired her residential contractors and roofing licenses. Their construction business took off quickly and provided the financial means to grow their honey company, as well as allowing them to of build and renovate homes for some former students of Pam’s, as well as for old and new friends alike. They were times of plenty and many times of lack, but the hum of the bees was always in the background urging them both to stay the course.

As of late, Pam and Gary have felt their flight pattern shifting again. As they are still active in the construction world, they know it is it is time to put greater time and attention to their first love—Bees and Blue-Eyed Girl Honey. They are taking to the road with Pam’s Subaru loaded to the top, attending festivals and farmers markets, spreading the word about the delicious Tupelo Honey that they love so dearly. They are so grateful to the many local businesses who have sold their honey and supported their growth, but it is time for the little Blue-Eyed Girl (named for granddaughter, Madi) to grow up!

An exciting twist is this sweet story of honeybees and love, was that Pam’s son, Travis, who had learned a bit of beekeeping from stepdad, Gary, during his teen years, went to work for a beekeeper as his part time job while in college, and during this time, his own love for the world of beekeeping took flight! He would send his mom photos of full hives and beautiful queens abuzz with enthusiasm and would call asking questions and advice from the man who had begun to feel much like a dad to him. Pam and Gary were thrilled! Upon graduating from college with a degree in Environmental Studies, Travis found work as a commercial beekeeper, working upwards of 20,000 hives. He was also learning more about how to grow and care for his family bee farm. Of course, Gary, Pam, and Travis could not do all they were doing without others who are family, too—Lenny, Jennifer, Justin, Jocelyn, and other friends and family who join in during honey season.

So it turns out that what began in the heart of one man, who was then joined by a partner who would share in and grow his vision, is now enjoyed by so many growing members of the Blue-Eyed Girl Family. Gratitude is at the heart of everything Pam and Gary do, as they know that Love, love for the bee, the bee’s love and service their colony, and the couple’s love for their family, community, and friends, is why this little family honey company even exists. And as Pam (and sometimes Jocelyn, now) always signs every note and letter—

Bees & Love,

Pam & Gary