Frequently asked questions

We do try to answer question sent to us via email, social media, text or call. We do hope our goal for helping others in their quest for beekeeping and homesteading shows through. Here is a few commonly asked question or big oopsies we have come across…..so far.
 

what are your store hours?

The farm store is open during Monday through Friday by appointment. We are often in the fields or bee yards, but have daily hours we are available each day. Contact us to let us know when you want to stop by and we will work with you to make it happen.

How long should the bees last?

The bee colony is a living organism of its own. It will not last forever. We do hope you will get a few years with your bees with proper management. That being said, once bees leave our farm there is WAY to much out of our control for us to even pretend to have a guarantee. Any purchase of livestock (including bees) from our farm have no guarantee implied or promised. Bees are a natures wonder and there is no way to promise they will live when even the smallest quick turn, or sudden stop on the way home may have squished a bee or perhaps the queen. Bees do swarm, bees do come into contact with pesticides (talk to your neighbors!), bees will have a pest invade their hive. We do hope all who purchase bees or any other livestock from us, make it a goal to learn what and all you can. We do learn each day, animals have so much to teach us. Please enjoy the experience.
 

Can i order bees anytime?

Short answer, No. Bees reproductive times are scheduled by nature. The increased length in daylight, warming temps, flowers coming into bloom…all play a hand in how well bees can reproduce. This is why our nuc and queen availability is limited. Our goal is not to produces as many as we can, but have strong stock that helps keep the bee population strong. Our hint, order early. I do loose sleep about not being help to help people with their requests, I just can not entice them to breed year round here in SC.
 

How come you don’t have more meat for sale?

Let’s get dirty for a moment. It really comes down to the soil. We will not raise more animals than the land can withstand. The sandy and clay filled soil here does not grow the best grasses. Any animal waste must be dealt with, the animals feed off the grasses, and the pigs love to root the soil around. We monitor the pastures and the animals. We rotate pastures, allow the fields to rest, limit the amount of animals on the grass. This is a major reason why we can avoid antibiotics and loss of animals. It also limits how much we have for sale. We would love to make every sale possible. That being said, our promise is healthy, strong, antibiotic free meat, humanely raised, we will stick to that. After all, our kids eat what we raise as well.
 

How soon should I put my queen/nucleus in the box?

Yesterday. Put your queen or bees in their new home, ASAP! Please I beg of you, do not leave them in your car while you go shopping, they do not belong on your counter, under your seat is not safe either. Bees are an organism of teamwork, they need each other to survive. A nucleus colony will feel cramped very quickly, activating their instinct to swarm. You will need to let them know they have room, they can stay in their new home, as soon as possible. Bees do not work on your schedule. it is thousands of women in one box, you will not change their mind. Bee proactive, stay ahead of the game, move them immediately
 

Can I volunteer on the farm?

We are looking at having a couple of days for volunteers to come and spend a day or two with us. Gosh knows I need the help. Here is the problem. It is a farm. (seems like a silly sentence right? it seems we live in a litigious society. We have uneven ground, they’re ant hills, the fences may be electric, tools are sharp, sticks are everywhere, there are sooooo many ways to get hurt. Farming is not for the faint of heart. There is no possible way one person can tell another person to avoid all possible methods of harming yourself. Ask any parent.  We do know that all persons learn from trying and not everyone has spent time on the farm. Our worry about people hurting themselves is the biggest reason why we rarely have help here. We are looking at having days of farm help, but each person must acknowledge that this is at his/her/themselves own risk, we can not be at faulty for any occurrence what so ever. It is sad that this fear stops so many people from learning and being helpful. It is though, the time we are in.