Last week Michelle Obama put in a new, organic garden on the White House grounds. But that’s not all. White House carpenter (and hobbyist beekeeper) Charlie Brandts provided the impetus to include a working bee hive.

The presidential hive fits in well with the first lady’s developing role as a supporter of healthy eating and fresh, local food. The blueberries, blackberries, broccoli, and other goodies she's growing all depend on insect pollination.  And with the ongoing decline of honey bees and other pollinators, from colony collapse disorder and many other causes, the bees need all the help they can get (check out our BeeSafe.org site to learn more).

As a side note, this may be the first White House based bee hive, but the Obamas are not the first presidential honey bee aficionados. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both beekeepers, at least part time.