Honey making a sticky topic in DuPage

DuPage County Forest Preserve District leaders are trying to avoid a sticky situation involving honey production.

Commissioners Tuesday opposed spending money on architectural studies of a modernized honey-processing facility.

Instead, they asked the district's staff to explore offering educational programs to teach the public about traditional methods of bee-keeping and making honey -- without the bells and whistles.

The forest preserve keeps hives at Kline Creek Farm, which pollinate crops. And with help from longtime beekeeper Lawrence DuBose, the district produces honey to sell.

But state laws governing food processing have raised district concerns about the need to modernize the building that's currently used. In May, officials looked at spending about $426,000 on a joint artifact storage/honey processing building but were concerned about the expense.

Now it's expected the district will use space elsewhere for artifact storage.

Staff planners Tuesday had asked commissioners to approve paying for an architect's study of options for honey-processing, such as renovating the existing facility, building a new one or getting a "honey-mobile" that would travel to different locations.

The cost of the study was estimated at $18,500, which stung some officials.

"We should just stick with the educational process," Commissioner Wally Brown said.

District Education Director Dave Guritz promised to develop ideas for a bee-keeping education program.

"We can create something special and unique," he said.