Bonnie Bee Honey

What started as a hobby in 1981, has now become a full time business for Joe DeVillers of Lafontaine. In 1979, while working as a carpenter in Northeastern Ontario, Joe was first introduced to beekeeping by one of his good friends Gilbert Desroches from Lafontaine who maintained 3 hives. With the help of Gilbert, Joe was able to acquire some used beekeeping equipment and was able to start beekeeping on his own. 

Like every new beekeeper, Joe had to learn everything there is to know about keeping bees. He immersed himself in books on beekeeping, but learning the trade through books wasn't enough, Joe needed a mentor. Luckily for him there was a local beekeeper, Claus Bosch, who reluctantly and with a lot of persistence from Joe, tolerated Joe's lack of knowledge about bees. Joe was able to assist Mr. Bosch regularly, and in time gained the knowledge and skill to become a successful beekeeper. 

In 2007 Joe decided to retire from carpentry and concentrate on beekeeping full time. Today Joe manages an average of 200 hives and has the help of his daughter Denise Graham. Denise has been helping her father since she was 13, she is now a full time beekeeper and is learning the trade, and will one day become the new face of Bonnie Bee Honey.