Outside The Hive

Outside The Hive Beekeeper, small, but growing. Focusing on growing my apiary to my goal of around 50 hives.

08/27/2026

Guess whos turning 5!

We are! We started our business 5 years ago in September! We've made it through the hurdle but still have a uphill climb ahead of us.

Did you know, 70% of new beekeepers will quit by the 3rd year in? Yep, its true! Beekeeping isnt easy, but its do-able if you put in the work.

For those of you that are patiently waiting, I promise, we will be getting honey out soon! I have a long list, I will be going from the beginning to the end. Things have been a little hectic around here to say the least and we are a little behind as you know. Thank you all for being patient! ❤️❤️

Thanks for 5 years of continued support!!!!

07/13/2026

Honey harvest 2026 is just around the corner! Im excited, and Im sure alot of you are too! Stay tuned!

07/05/2026

Sorry everyone, it's been a while since I have posted anything!

We have honey supers on our hives, the bees have been making honey really well for us in our area. We have been fortunate to have missed all the big heavy rain totals in our area, finally recieving somw rain these last few days. Its been hot and dry in our area almost all of June. We only had about 1.3 inches of rain the whole month of June.

We've gotten about 4 inches already this month and it was much needed!

We've downsized alot this year from the last few years of running 30 hives, we are at about 12 to 14 now.

Earlier this year we purchased a hive at a silent auction that we gifted to a friend of ours little boy who LOVES honey and had some interest in bees. They bought some bees and we installed them, eventually they bought a second package and he now has two hives of his own. Its been fun watching them learn and appreciate the bees even more. Yes, they are packing in the honey as well! Needless to say, there is one very excited little boy!

The bees will always keep us guessing, frustrated and excited all at the same time sometimes too! Lol.

Thank you to those of you who keep asking when we will have more honey! We are eager to get some back in bottles!

Keep checking in, we will definitely update you when its bottled up!

05/12/2026

Getting stung in the eye isnt what I was wanting to check off my list this evening lol. Just got done mowing and noticed I hadn't put my bricks back on a hive lid. Thought I'd get away with it, and probably would have on any of my other hives... Not this one, this one is a tad over defensive. I knew that already too... lol now have a puffy eye 😉

05/10/2026

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms out there!

05/02/2026

Guilty🫠

04/24/2026

Rainbow in the back yard! 😍

Today, a new beekeeper is getting his start! With a little guidance from me, some friends of ours and their little guy a...
04/18/2026

Today, a new beekeeper is getting his start! With a little guidance from me, some friends of ours and their little guy are getting into beekeeping. He even bid on his own package of bees today! This is going to be so fun to watch him hopefully fall in love with bees and possibly take this experience into adulthood. Thanks to his parents for trusting in me to teach him! Just one of the many sweet rewards of being a beekeeper! Welcome to beekeeping Walker! Melissa Barrett

Thanks to Central Iowa Beekeepers Association and Spring Valley Honey Farms! Connie, I'll get some video for you tomorrow of him installing his new package!

04/15/2026

Oh HAIL no! We missed out on the hail today, but I know a lot of you didnt. Show your photos in the comments below!

Address

328 140th Street
Churdan, IA
50050

Telephone

+15153700381

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