How this program came about: After studying beekeeping full time at KPU and working for various commercial beekeeping operations I became passionate about creating an alternative to large beekeeping where hundreds of honeybee colonies are kept in a field and trucked around to different nectar sources. This not only creates stress on the bees but it contributes to the growing illnesses we are finding in our colonies, illnesses that require harsh medications and antibiotics. They said it was the only way to make money, they said there was no other way! Well we've created another way! Our host-a-hive program is designed to create a more natural habitat for our little buzzing friends by spreading them out within our communities as nature intended so they don't need to be trucked around anymore. Be part of the solution and host-a-hive!
What is the host-a-hive program? We provide fully managed colonies on your property. After every honey harvest you are given all the honey from your personal colonies. Use this honey for yourself, bottle it for gifts, or sell it back to us through our buy back program!
What's included? -Apiary registration
-Liability insurance
-Full colony management (hive activity checks and disease inspections)
-All hive equipment & bees
-Any medication or treatment required
-All transportation costs
-All honey from your hives
-All honey extraction and filtering
-Pollination for your property
-Over winter loss replacements
Is host-a-hive for me? If you are interested in bees and biodiversity, you don't use toxic chemicals on your lawn and garden, and you love honey, then host-a-hive is for you! If you are a business owner, restaurant or baker, this program is a great way to feed your customers honey from your own colonies! First, check your local bylaws and make sure your municipality allows you to keep bees on your property. If you contact us, we can help you with that. Secondly, if someone on the property is allergic to honeybees then this program is probably not for you. Note that being allergic to wasps is not the same as being allergic to honeybees!
What is the Buy Back Program? If you don't have a use for 100-400+ lbs of honey a year but you want beehives on your property, we will buy back the honey from you for $3/lbs. 10% of all buy backs are donated to your local food bank.
How much does it cost? We charge $600/colony/year with no additional costs. We have a minimum of 2 colonies per property. This second colony acts as support if one of them falls ill or looses it's queen. There is no limit on how many colonies you can have, but if you are interested in more than 4, contact us for a group discount.
How much honey will I get? You can expect anywhere from 50-120 lbs per colony ($400-$960 market value) depending on your location, the weather that year, strength of your colony, and forage available. Urban areas are great for honeybees as there are lawn gardens being maintained all through the season. I will give you the honey in buckets with a pour spout and you are welcome to jar the honey yourself and give it as gifts, sell it, or keep it for your family. If you'd like me to jar it for you or your business, that is a service we can provide. Costs depend on yield.
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