If you're looking for a way to make some extra money, beekeeping might be the perfect solution. Not only is it a fun and rewarding hobby, but you can also make a decent profit from selling honey and other bee products.
There are a few things you need to get started, including some basic knowledge about bees and their behavior. But once you've got that down, you can start making money from your very own beehive.
So if you're looking for a unique way to make some extra cash, beekeeping is definitely worth considering.
Here is 14 ways to make money as a beekeeper:
1. Honey
Honey is the most popular and conventional way to make money from beekeeping. Raw, unpasteurized honey is in demand right now as many families have switched to healthier, sustainable foods.
2. Pollen
Bee pollen is a raw mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, honey, and wax. It's used as a nutritional supplement in the form of pellets, capsules, and tablets. When collecting pollen, only set up pollen traps for a couple of hours a day, and only a couple of days a week.
3. Propolis
Propolis can be sold for a high price since it is rare and very potent. It is used in skincare, in medicinal tinctures, as a supplement, and more. Propolis is a resin-like substance produced by bees, made out of buds and cones from trees.
You can buy propolis traps that go in your hives online or in beekeeping stores. Producing and extracting propolis does not damage or harm the hive.
4. Beeswax
After you have extracted all the honey from the honeycomb, you can melt down and use or sell the beeswax. Here are a few ways to make money from beeswax:
- Beeswax wraps
- Beeswax candles
- Beeswax chap stick
5. Raw honey comb
Raw honey comb that is still full of honey is a great product to sell. It can fetch a high price, especially at farmers markets and co-ops.
6. Lease out your bees to pollinate fields, gardens, and farms
Many small farms and homesteads will pay to have your bees pollinate their fields and gardens.
7. Sell Bee Equipment
You can buy bee equipment, like bee suits, honey extractors, etc, in bulk and re-sell it to beginner beekeepers in your area.
8. Start a YouTube channel about beekeeping
Share what you know about beekeeping with others, promote your business, and have fun while doing so.
9. Honey sticks
Honey sticks are really popular right now and can be sold at farmers markets, small stores, online, etc, because of their small size and sealed containers.
10. Sell your bees
Sell nucs, a package of bees or queen bees to start a hive.
11. Beekeeping Classes
Teach people about beekeeping with a hands-on class or an online course.
12. Start a beekeeping podcast
Start a podcast about beekeeping and invite fellow beekeepers to share their experiences.
13. Sell honey to brands and businesses
Some honey brands and other businesses buy raw honey from small suppliers for their raw, unpasteurized honey products.
14. Bee Removals
Safely cut out wild bee hives from houses, sheds, and other unwanted areas. A great benefit of doing this is you get to keep the bee hives and rehome them in your hives.
Making money as a beekeeper is like making honey. You start with a lot of hard work and dedication, and then the rewards come flowing in.
Here are 3 marketing ideas to help you make more money:
- Create a "honey of the month" club, where customers can receive a new type of honey each month.
- Collaborate with local bakeries and restaurants to feature honey in their dishes and desserts.
- Create a honey themed gift basket with a jar of honey, honey sticks and a beeswax candle.
Take the first step towards starting your own successful beekeeping business - download our free homestead success path checklist. Don't miss out on this opportunity - get started today!