There’s one option of which many people are not aware… allow your land (or part of it) to be used by a beekeeper who needs more space!
If you’re interested in beekeeping but can’t physically handle lifting the heavy equipment involved, or perhaps you have an allergy and would rather be safe than sorry, letting some of your land be used for a beekeeper to place their hives on can be a very happy medium. Allowing a beekeeper to place some hives on your land can help with pollination of your garden and native flowering plants, bringing a big boost to your overall ecosystem. No matter what beekeeping arrangement you end up in, though, be sure to check all local and state legal requirements before they place their hives on your property.
When people with lots of land, or land that has especially rich foraging resources for bees, come together with beekeepers who need more space, it can be a wonderful relationship. You get to enjoy the beautiful and zen-like buzzing of bees without all the work, and they get more space to grow and expand their operation. Most beekeepers are happy to share some of their honey harvests as a thank you for the land use, though discussing your expectations for the agreement up front is always a good idea.
Even if you don’t plan to become a beekeeper, making connections to other beekeepers can make it much easier to find one that’s looking for the same thing that you are. We’d highly encourage you to join a local beekeeping club or check with your online beekeeping community members (like those in Colony!) to connect with experienced and responsible beekeepers who may need to find some additional apiary space. You may even consider checking with your state’s agricultural office or local community board/classified ads to help you find an interested beekeeper.
Read More
6 Ways to Join the Beekeeping Community
Exploring the Process of Pollination
Common Concerns About Keeping Bees
Thoughts on Responsible Beekeeping *
* Colony Member-Only Content
