Honey Production and Manpower

Honey production for the backyard apiculturist can easily be accomplished by one beekeeper. During the summer months, one must check on their hive once a week, making sure all entries to the hive are clear, the bees are active, and there is plenty of water. When it comes time to harvest the honey, the task really does take one person and some equipment for extracting honey. Although some involve their family or friends to help, it isn’t required. (Honey Bees and Beekeeping 6.4)

But, to make a living on beekeeping for honey production, one must have more than 30 hives. The labor isn’t intensive until it comes time to harvest the honey, which then would take more than one person to cultivate and process.  The average backyard apiculturist will have only one or a few hives. If your purpose is to sell honey, four hives will generate about $200-500 a year. (Connally)

David Kelly of Kellybees in Shady Dale, Georgia, has over 300 colonies he maintains. More equipment is involved to save on labor costs. In the video, Honey Bees and Beekeeping 6.4, David Kelly states, “Such a business…[do] as much of it as you can by yourself...If you’re making the money to afford the help that’s okay…But you’re not going to just start off small and hire people and expect to make money at it.”

Apiary jobs are unique. You are working with animals, the bees, but the goal is to collect the product the bees create. Apiary jobs may not necessarily involve being a beekeeper, either. If you’re a hired hand, you may be asked to maintain the area around the hive. Some want honey to be a certain flavor, such as clover honey, and the hired hand is to maintain the plants. When harvest time comes, the job could be to collect the combs, to stoke the smoker, or even to maintain the equipment. After the collection of the honey has been completed, someone will need to deliver the honey to a local market or to a facility for commercial purposes. (Apiary Jobs)

Cox Honeyland in Logan, Utah is a locally owned company which focuses on honey and its byproducts. According to their website, Henderson Cox, the founder, began beekeeping in St. George, Utah over 100 years ago. After a few decades in St. George, Marion Cox moved to Cache Valley where he continued on the tradition. The production of honey became a bigger business in 1989 when Cox Honeyland remained open year-round with a gift shop off of Hwy 89. They offer an array of honey and byproducts. The business began with one person, then eventually grew to include the family. (Cox Honeyland) 

If generating an income from honey is your goal, it is possible. It doesn’t require added labor, unless you plan on having a lot of colonies. The education required isn’t too intensive either. Starting a backyard hive requires a few classes on beekeeping, reading some books, and getting advice from seasoned apiculturists. All you need to start your business is a bee box, a colony of bees, and a little education.

Work Cited

“Apiary Jobs.” Job Monkey, 2018, www.jobmonkey.com/farming/apiary-jobs/

 Connally, Abe. Comment on “Honey as a main income.” Premies.com, 2011,

           permies.com/t/4350/Honey-main-income

Cox Honeyland of Utah, 2012, www.coxhoney.com/

“Honey Bees and Beekeeping 6.4: Commercial honey processing.” Youtube,
           uploaded by BeeHealth, 29 June 2010,
           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhm4uvkcUs