The son of farmers, Donald Smiley was not born with the bay in his blood. He spent his childhood in the inland town of Wewahitchka, and, as a young man, Donald worked as an air conditioning technician in Panama City. But in 1980 he moved to Franklin County and began oystering. Donald says he made more money in one day of oystering than he could make in a week at doing A/C repair. He harvested oysters for the next thirteen years, until in 1993 the industry was changing so much that Donald wanted out. As a hobby, he started tinkering with bees. He read books and learned from other beekeepers. In time, Donald amassed enough hives to turn to beekeeping and honey production full time. Today, Smiley Apiaries is a thriving business, specializing in tupelo honey. Donald has also gained some notoriety for his collaboration with Holley Bishop, author of the book "Robbing the Bees." More than anything, though, Donald loves his bees. He has an appreciation for them, the process, and the especially the product. Donald eats some of his bees' honey every day.

Scope and Content Note
This interview encompasses Smiley's experiences as an oysterman and beekeeper in Wewahitchka, Florida. The interview provides insights into Smiley's personal background, his journey into oystering, the challenges and rewards of the profession, as well as his transition into beekeeping and honey production. Smiley shares details about his childhood in Wewahitchka, his family's history in the area, and the activities he enjoyed, such as hunting, fishing, and swimming in the nearby river. He discusses his decision to become an oysterman in 1980, the initial lack of experience and rapid success he achieved in the field. Smiley explains the process of oystering, the physical challenges faced, and the communication and camaraderie among fellow oystermen. He also provides information about the sale and processing of oysters, including bagging and shucking. Smiley discusses his transition from oystering to beekeeping. He shares the reasons for the career change, the process of establishing his beekeeping operation, and the challenges and rewards of beekeeping. Smiley provides insights into the seasonal cycle of beekeeping, the importance of the tupelo bloom for honey production, and the methods he uses to harvest and process honey. He also touches on his relationship with his bees, his passion for beekeeping, and his involvement in the book "Robbing the Bees" by Holly Bishop. Smiley expresses concerns about the future of his beekeeping business, the potential loss of locations due to development, and his plans to sell the business since he doesn't have anyone to pass it onto. He briefly discusses his experiences as an oysterman and his affinity for his hometown and the surrounding area. The interview concludes with a discussion about the equipment used in the honey house and the sale of beeswax.