Westside Stories

If you’ve lived in the Grays River Valley for any length of time, you have probably met Mark Latham in some capacity. He serves as the chair commissioner for Wahkiakum County Fire District 3 and is seeking re-election in November. In his capacity as a volunteer firefighter, he consistently responds to calls that come in over the radio. Just this past Friday, while overseeing his honey table at the West Wahkiakum Farmers Market, a call came in. He didn’t hesitate to rush out the door to attend to the situation. Fortunately, his wife, Banya, was more than willing to manage sales in his absence.

Mark operates under the brand name BeeThumb Honey and sells his honey not only at the farmers market but also at local stores, such as Okies Select Market. He started small with just two beehives, which grew to six, then 18. This year, the number has reached 37. Depending on the outcome of the winter season, he hopes to have 50 hives by next year. His ultimate goal is to cultivate a hundred hives and, after retiring in the next couple of years, he plans to focus on honey production as his retirement venture.

Bees are fascinating creatures. Honey bee colonies are highly organized and consist of a queen (the only fertile female responsible for laying eggs), drones (the males whose primary role is to mate with the queen), and worker bees (females that perform various tasks such as hive maintenance, caring for the young, and foraging). Each hive typically contains between 20,000 and 60,000 bees. The average lifespan of a worker bee is around eight weeks, while a queen can live up to five years and lay as many as 2,000 eggs per day.

The loss of a queen will manifest changes in both behavior and sound among the bees in the hive. Bees in a queenless hive will exhibit signs of anxiety and agitation. For a new queen to be established, worker bees will provide royal jelly, a protein-rich secretion, to a female larva, facilitating the full development of her reproductive organs.

Beekeeping requires a significant commitment. The time and effort required for honey production are substantial, demanding dedication to properly care for the bees and their hives. The honey extraction process, regulated by the state, is detailed and requires protective gear, specialized equipment, and considerable patience.

On average, depending on the nectar flow, Mark collects approximately three to four 5-gallon buckets of honey from his hives about once a month during the summer season. He ensures that around 60 pounds of honey remain within the hives to sustain the bee population.

In addition to beekeeping, Mark loves tending to his plants, vegetables, and trees in his greenhouse. This year, he planted and sold 600 tomato plants. The tomato plants he cultivates in his greenhouse have grown to impressive heights and are laden with ripening fruit of several different varieties. As if they don’t already do enough, Mark and Banya also package and sell freeze-dried fruit and candy along with their honey.

Mark has spent 38 years in the telecommunications industry and is a certified RUS/USDA Engineer. When the Lathams moved to Grays River 19 years ago, Mark was hired at Wahkiakum West Communications, where he continues to work.

The importance of community service is evident in every aspect of Mark’s actions, from assisting families in crises to responding promptly to emergency calls. During our interview in his living room, a resident contacted him at home to report a slide in Eden Valley because they were unable to reach the non-emergency line. Mark paused our conversation to ensure that the information was communicated to the sheriff’s office before resuming our discussion without missing a beat.

Ultimately, though, family is what matters most to Mark and Banya. Between them, they have six children, 23 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; a legacy that keeps their lives full of visits, birthdays, and celebrations.

The West Wahkiakum Farmers Market is open every Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rosburg Hall through the end of September. Come by to pick up some locally sourced honey and other great produce and products from resident vendors and artisans.

Westside Happenings

August

22 – West Wahkiakum Farmers Market at

Rosburg Hall, 1 – 4 p.m.

24 – FAFF Meeting at Naselle Community

Center, 4 p.m.

September

6 – Loggers Reunion at Appelo Archives

Center, noon.

October

4 – 4-H Covered Bridge Dinner & Auction,

4:30 p.m.

18 – Appelo Archive Center Harvest Auction

& Champagne Social

To add an event to the calendar or provide feedback, please don't hesitate to contact me at writerlisayeager@outlook.com. You can also follow me on Facebook (@Writer Lisa Yeager), where I share additional photos and videos.