West Virginia has long been known as an important coal producing state in the eastern United States. But the coal business is slowing. Many mines are closing, leaving their workers without a job. James Scyphers was one of the workers. Today, he is happy to be working above ground, keeping bees. Bees make honey in their homes, known as hives, and beekeepers make money selling that honey. After leaving the military, Scyphers worked as a builder and later as a coal miner. Standing by his hives on a rural farm near Beckley, West Virginia, Scyphers wears a hat and covering around his head to protect him from bee stings. "See here, here's the queen. See how much bigger she is? He no longer needs the hard hat he wore during his 16 years in the coal mines. Scyphers loves being outside. He has come to respect and value the honeybees he raises. He says being a beekeeper is the best job he has ever had.
