Cocoons, Community, and Donuts

Every fall, I’m reminded that raising Mason bees isn’t just about pollination—it’s about people. One of our longtime supporters, Jim from Indiana, has been proving that for the past seven years. What started with a couple of bee kits and curious neighbors has grown into an annual harvest party that’s welcomed dozens of families, kids, and plenty of cider and donuts.

Jim doesn’t sell his extra cocoons back to us—he gives them away to help new folks get started. That generosity is at the heart of what building a community is all about. With his blessing, I want to share some of the lessons he’s learned so that you can try something similar in your own community.

Start Small, Start Local

The first “party” was just a handful of families stopping by his garage. No banners, no big plans—just neighbors curious about what he was up to. That’s often how good ideas begin. You don’t need 200 people. A few families are more than enough to start the buzz.

Autumn Is the Best On-Ramp

Jim swears fall is the perfect time to invite newcomers. It’s when cocoons are ready to be harvested and opening that first reed is an “aha!” moment for people. I remember the first time I did it—I was hesitant too (I didn’t know what I’d find inside either!) Once you see those little cocoons, the mystery turns into fascination.

Make It a Casual Open House

Instead of cramming everyone into a two-hour slot, Jim leaves his garage open for 4–5 hours on a Saturday. Families come and go as it fits their schedule. It takes the pressure off, and as he says, “Not everyone can make it at the same time.” Simple flexibility makes it work.

Create a Welcoming Space

Now, Jim admits his wife, Patti, deserves some credit here. She’s the one who insisted on cleaning the garage, setting up tables, and even decorating (she’d decorate him and the dog if they stood still long enough!). Throw in some sidewalk chalk for the kids, and suddenly you’ve got a space that feels more like a community event than a chore.

Snacks Are Non-Negotiable

I love this part. Jim says donuts are a must—especially seasonal ones like apple, blueberry, or pumpkin. Add cider, coffee, cocoa, and milk for the kids, and you’ve got a party. "In my experience, snacks are the universal glue of community building. You could be teaching nuclear physics—if you’ve got donuts, people will show up."

Keep the Mess Under Control

Harvesting cocoons can get messy, but Jim found a clever solution: empty grocery store produce cardboard trays. They hold broken reeds, dirt, and cocoons all in one place. When you’re done, dump the debris in a bin. It’s cheap, easy, and smart—classic.

Demonstrate and Educate

Jim doesn’t just hand people reeds and walk away. He shows them how to open reeds, store cocoons, and prepare houses for spring. Simple tools like our cocoon finder (his “reed inspection stick”) make it less intimidating for beginners. Watching someone else do it first makes all the difference.

Share the Surplus

This is where Jim shines. With six large houses, he raises more than enough cocoons and passes them along in starter kits. Some folks build their own bee house with his tips, others purchase from us. Either way, they leave with the confidence (and cocoons) to begin.

Add in the Details That Matter

Over the years, Jim’s refined his setup with smart touches:

• A 3–4-inch overhang on houses to keep out rain
• Flexible 3/4-inch mesh covers to deter birds and raccoons
• A 3-4 inch horizontal “porch” that, coupled with the overhang, allows you to position the flexible mesh to make a “bubble” for the bees to maneuver in once they are through the mesh
  
• Rubber-banded reed bundles so nothing slips.
• Trays near the houses for mud (every bee neighborhood needs a good
  “mud puddle”).
• Mesh bags to group cocoons by 50–60. (You can store 5-6 bags in each
  humidibee over the winter)

Little things add up to healthier bees and happier new bee raisers.

Encourage Pay-It-Forward Bee Raising

Jim’s parties planted seeds—literally and figuratively. Once someone learns the ropes, they often start sharing cocoons with their own circle. Sometimes people will have a
poor harvest due to raccoons or other circumstances. But others in the group will
have a good harvest and share the extras. Next year, the situation may be
reversed. But there are always enough cocoons to share in the group. Before long, you’ve got more backyard bee raisers than you ever expected.

Know When to Scale Back

Some people in the group raise their own bees these days – kids have
grown up, so his parties aren’t as big as they used to be. Others who are not in
his immediate neighborhood now host their own small parties. But that’s okay.
He still gives away cocoons and welcomes new families. As he says, “It all works out.”
Sometimes scaling back makes things more sustainable in the long run.

A Final Word

Hosting a harvest party doesn’t need to be complicated. As Jim has shown, it’s really about opening your door, sharing what you know, and helping someone new fall in love with Mason bees.

Thank you for seven years of generosity, donuts, and inspiration, Jim.