Mark Connelly is the owner of Edisto Honey, a popular bee farm known for producing some of the best honey on the market. He’s not just a friend and coworker—Mark and I have been friends and partners on projects for many years. His beautiful family and Mark spend a lot of time supporting other farms and helping out wherever they can, making them a true asset to our community.

On April 24th, Mark experienced a devastating setback when a bee smoker accident sparked a grass fire on his farm. Despite his quick response and firefighting skills, the fire spread rapidly, burning two acres and destroying several bee hives. The loss of these hives is a huge blow to Mark’s livelihood, as pollinator bees are essential for Edisto Honey’s success and for the local ecosystem.

Mark has always been there for others. He supports fellow farmers, shares his knowledge through education, and serves as an active firefighter in Dorchester County. His training likely prevented the fire from causing even greater damage, and his willingness to risk his own safety for others is a testament to his character. Now, Mark needs our help to recover. The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward purchasing new pollinator bees, allowing him to continue his business this year and rebuild what was lost.

Mark was hesitant to ask for help, but he agreed to let me reach out to the community with the promise that every dollar would be used to buy pollinator bees. He would never want anyone to think he wouldn’t do the right thing, and I reminded him how much he takes care of all of us. It’s our turn to give back. Please join me in supporting Mark—let’s help him restore his farm and show him the same kindness he’s always shown to others.