Going Big Time

Expansion Opportunities in Beekeeping

Grant F. C. GillardJackson, MO gillard5@charter.netwww.grantgillard.weebly.comwww.slideshare.netGoing Big Time

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What Makes Expansion Work?Efficiency working smarter, not just harder-- making the best use of resources (time)

Economics return on investment

Energy more work to be done

Expediency getting things done when they need to be done.

Levels of BeekeepingHobbyist1 24 (perhaps 49)(Recreational, Backyard) - no regard to cost200,000 beekeepers

Sideliner25 - 299 hives (perhaps 50)(Small Scale) added income potential10,000 beekeepers

Commercial 300+ hivesDoing it to make a living profit potential2,000 beekeepers

Getting Biggerwhy?

Supplemental Income PotentialReturn on investment

Getting Biggerwhat is your purpose?

What is your quest?

Three types of beekeeping**Honey production

Queen rearing, nucs and packages

Pollination (largely migratory)

**Removals and cut-outs**Educational opportunities

One will prevail others may overlap.

Three Keys to Success1. Understand honey bee biologySeasonality, swarming, honey production2. Determine your priority, purpose or quest

3. Fold #2 into #1We work with the bees

Is there a downside?Less TLC and personal attentionMore herd mentalityAlways something to doAlways something to fix and repairCertain seasons demand your full attention (swarming, queen rearing)You have to attend hives in all kinds of weather

Getting biggerhow?1. Buy (and move) existing hives2. Buy nucs and packages3. Split everything - OTSInnovative Beekeepinghttps://www.createspace.com/59663744. Collect and trap swarms5. Bee rescues and cut-outs

Each one is a trade-off of time and labor against out of pocket costs

Acquiring EquipmentMake your own from scrap and cull wood, packing cratesMake your own from purchased lumber (Home Depot)Buy used and clean it up, repaintBuy new and assemble

Each option is a trade-off of time and labor against out of pocket costs

Buying (and moving) existing hives

Does everything fit Langstroth?

Tailgate winch

Growth rate rate of expansion

The need for more apiariesWhere Can I Keep My Bees?https://www.createspace.com/4044187Finding suitable locationsDistance from homeHow many hives can I bringDiversity of floral sourcesAccess: 24/7, by truck, farm gatesWater, full sun, shelter from windsNeighborsAdjacent crops, pesticide application, monoRent, written lease

Record Keeping

The biggest lie we tell ourselves is

I dont need to write it down. Ill just remember it.

Record KeepingLess details with more hivesWritten, accessible notesNeed to be reviewed before each dayWhere do I need to go?What do I need to do?What do I need to get it done?

Outyard managementEverything you need for that day is on the truckSome centralized storageOrganization

HarvestingHarvest early and often, vs one big blastUse of queen excluders three weeks priorUse of fume boardsHoney Robber (Bee-go)Honey Bandit Mann LakeBee Quick Fume boards to reduce robbing

Evolution of ExtractingLaundry room (floor drain and sinks)Kitchen BasementGarage (but not bee tight)Converted greenhouse2011 built honey houseSeparate warming room with dehumidifierSeparate extracting roomSeparate bottling room

A Word About Health InspectionsCounty Health Department trumps the stateJelly Law Section 261.241.1 (State Statute) Only for direct-to-consumer salesBasically removes the commercial kitchenSB500 2015, State Legislature Allows honey to be processed in the domicile where it is produced, then sold to a third party. No commercial kitchen.If you have a separate honey house, unattached, SB500 does not apply, must be inspected by statebut they are easy to work with.

MarketingRetail Direct to consumerFarmers Markets*Driveway (honor box)What sizes?

Wholesale to third partySell to a reseller bottled (Health Food)Sell to other beekeepers(buckets or barrels)

*politics, rules and regulations

Hired Help?Seasonal, hire some teenagerCash under the table, or legally reportedInsurance, taxes, etc.

Honey house needs rest roomsRest rooms need septic or sewer

Barter with other beekeepers and trade for nucs or used equipment

Business StructureLLC (still liable)Partnership

Do you keep your day job?Health insurance, pension

Conflicts and Challenges only 24 hours each day

Where to?

Grant Gillard gillard5@charter.netwww.grantgillard.weebly.com www.slideshare.net