Beekeeping & Honey
Beekeeping & Honey
Key Requirements
| Land | Low |
| Labor | Medium |
| Capital | Low to Medium |
Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.
Markets
- Direct to Consumer
- Farmer's Market
- On-Farm Stands
- CSA
- Restaurant
- Local Grocery
Pests & Disease
The most common brood diseases in Kentucky are chalk brood, American foulbrood, European foulbrood, and varroa-mite-vectored disease known as snotty brood. Other diseases include nosema and several viruses strongly correlated with the presence of varroa mites.
$5000
Cost per 10 Hives
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
$1250
Returns per 10 Hives
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Challenges
- Hives need to be located near a pollen source.
- Need to have the right equipment and knowledgeable skills to ensure the health of the hive.
Opportunities
- Can be marketed in different forms which can allow for diversification of the product.
- The actual economic value of beekeeping is far greater than the value of the honey produced.
- Many consumers want to purchase local honey due to its “health affects” during allergy season.