Post by 01apricotapiaries on Jul 8, 2016 7:31:23 GMT -7
Hello Oregon Beekeepers.
My wife and have been growing our business for the last several years. We currently run just shy of 200 hives, pollinating almonds in California and Fruit trees in Oregon. We raise a handful of queens, sell a handful of nucs, and do our best to make a honey crop and have healthy bees for next year. Our target operating size is 400-500 hives, which we will reach in the next several years.
We have outgrown our current storage and processing units (read as almost non-existent) and are in the process of designing a building. Before we get too far into our design process, I would really like to talk to, meet, and visit with other operators in the 300-600 hive range who extract their own honey crop. If possible, I would like to plan a "tour do honey" sometime this fall (probably before and/or after the state meeting) to visit different shopspaces and see what you have come up with, what you like and dont like... I have already spoken with a few people but I think in this case the more information, opinions, mistakes, and do-overs to consider the better.
If you operate in the 300-600 hive range, I would really like to hear from you. Even if you are larger or smaller, what are your design considerations? how did you determine the square footage needed? Can I come visit to see your shop?
And if anyone can point me to other Oregon (or Washington or Idaho) beekeepers in the 300-600 hive range to talk with, please let me know. I have talked a bit with Harry who was very helpful, and also Kenny Williams who had a lot of great ideas and feedback.
Thanks for the input
Matt and Liz
Apricot Apiaries
My wife and have been growing our business for the last several years. We currently run just shy of 200 hives, pollinating almonds in California and Fruit trees in Oregon. We raise a handful of queens, sell a handful of nucs, and do our best to make a honey crop and have healthy bees for next year. Our target operating size is 400-500 hives, which we will reach in the next several years.
We have outgrown our current storage and processing units (read as almost non-existent) and are in the process of designing a building. Before we get too far into our design process, I would really like to talk to, meet, and visit with other operators in the 300-600 hive range who extract their own honey crop. If possible, I would like to plan a "tour do honey" sometime this fall (probably before and/or after the state meeting) to visit different shopspaces and see what you have come up with, what you like and dont like... I have already spoken with a few people but I think in this case the more information, opinions, mistakes, and do-overs to consider the better.
If you operate in the 300-600 hive range, I would really like to hear from you. Even if you are larger or smaller, what are your design considerations? how did you determine the square footage needed? Can I come visit to see your shop?
And if anyone can point me to other Oregon (or Washington or Idaho) beekeepers in the 300-600 hive range to talk with, please let me know. I have talked a bit with Harry who was very helpful, and also Kenny Williams who had a lot of great ideas and feedback.
Thanks for the input
Matt and Liz
Apricot Apiaries