B Magazine: For the Love of Honey

Tyler Graef

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Jon K. Rust, Publisher of the Southeast Missourian, spent an afternoon with Cape Girardeau County Commissioner and part-time apiarist (beekeeper) Paul Koeper to find out both how the hives work and how Koeper operates the business end of selling local raw honey.

Paul Koeper poses for a portrait as the sun sets near his family's century farm outside Old Appleton, Missouri. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Paul Koeper, left, and Jon K. Rust make their way to inspect beehives Monday, June 3, 2019, at one of Koeper's hives in Jackson. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Paul Koeper uses smoke to calm bees before looking inside Monday, June 3, 2019, at one of Koeper's hives in Jackson. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Paul Koeper, left, describes the process of making honey as Jon K. Rust, right, inspects a rack of honeycomb Monday, June 3, 2019, at one of Koeper's hives in Jackson. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Paul Koeper displays a rack of honeycomb. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Bees are seen on a honeycomb rack Monday, June 3, 2019, at one of Koeper's hives in Jackson. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Paul Koeper displays a rack of honeycomb. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Paul Koeper works to inspect his bees while wearing protective gear Monday, June 3, 2019, at one of Koeper's hives in Jackson. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Paul Koeper removes protective gloves after inspecting his bees Monday, June 3, 2019, at one of Koeper's hives in Jackson. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Honey flows from one straining tank to another Monday, June 3, 2019, at Paul Koeper's home in Jackson. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
The queen bee is seen, center, in one of Paul Koeper's hives. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Paul Koeper poses for a portrait as the sun sets near his family's century farm outside Old Appleton, Missouri. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)