First Lady Melania Trump Adds White House-Shaped Beehive to South Lawn Grounds

Washington — First lady Melania Trump added a new beehive in the shape of the White House to the South Lawn grounds, the White House announced on Friday. The new beehive expands the existing beekeeping and honey production operations at the White House, according to the announcement. It adds two new bee colonies to the two current existing colonies at the White House.

The new beehive includes thousands of bees that will increase honey production by about 30 pounds a year. Bees on the White House property currently produce about 200 or more pounds of honey in a productive year. During the peak summer months, the current hive populations at the White House have about 70,000 bees.

The honey produced at the White House is used at the White House and for donations to local food kitchens. White House chefs use the honey in teas, salad dressings, and desserts in the Executive Residence. The White House honey has a light clover and basswood flavor with citrus notes.

The White House executive residence staff designed the new hive and its base. The base of the new hive was hand-crafted by a local Virginia artisan. The Trust for the National Mall is funding the expansion of the White House beekeeping program.

The White House beekeeping program officially began in 2009 during the Obama administration. The White House carpenter started beekeeping as a hobby on the grounds a few years before 2009. CBS News reported these details based on White House statements and video of the new beehive.