Just wanted to vent. I talked to this local farmer where I asked him a year ago if I could put my bees and he excitedly said yes. So I refreshed my question this year and the first thing out of his mouth after yes, was will we have honey in time for the Lavendar Festival.. (late June) I said we will probably have enough for tasting but not selling and with his eyes lit up we continued to talk about placement, what the honey would taste like and field his wifes concerns about visitors and getting stung. He talked her down and I left comfortable that I would be putting out my honey at the lavendar festival and sharing with the owner...
So I go down today to set up the site and clear brush bring in the hive stand. (darn it looks nice) and he says so we are splitting 50/50 right? I am a bit taken back but instantly assured myself it wont be that much honey for my future girls first year. sigh....
Not looking for validation just knowing you care is enough ;)
We do care and find you another beeyard if you don't feel like parting with half your labors.
...JP
Just remind him that 50/50 means he helps with the extracting, bottling, and half the price of jars and labels. He may change his mind.
Yeah I might just have to do that.. I love the fact that is farm is organic and it would be great for the girls not to mention close to the house but dont think that is quite fair I mean his farm is getting the benefit of my hives and work and I am more than willing to share but thats a bit much thanks for listening/reading.
I have to agree with addee on this. Afterall , he is getting the needed pollination and is only fare to you that he share the labor if he is greedy enough to want half of what you take in.
I agree with Iddee. 50/50 ? no way. your bees....your honey. By all means pay a rent of a few pots, that is normal. You could take 50% of his pollinated crop ?!!
But you won't !
regards
S
It should be a wash, your pollination service for bee hive space. 50-50, noway!!
Quote from: iddee on March 19, 2010, 10:03:47 PM
Just remind him that 50/50 means he helps with the extracting, bottling, and half the price of jars and labels. He may change his mind.
50/50 Of ALL the cost bees and woodenware and 50/50 on the setup.
http://www.nebees.com/tipsandtricks.php (http://www.nebees.com/tipsandtricks.php)
BEE HAPPY Jim 134
Quote from: nella on March 20, 2010, 07:07:12 AM
It should be a wash, your pollination service for bee hive space. 50-50, noway!!
Pollination service in MA. are about $45 to $65 per hive
BEE HAPPY Jim 134
I would give him a pass. Perhaps you can explain that he's getting pollination and give him some details of the cost of operation. I think that generally a case of 1lb. jars is the trade for a location.
ditto all the above. Somerford has it. offer him 50% of your honey for the same of his crop.
I would drop this guy like a hot tater! He wants half the honey off your ONE hive :roll: YOU will most likely go in the hole whilst he just smiles all fat and happy with your honey that did not cost hime one dime. In my area there are plenty of people that are more than happy to stick a couple of hives on their property for nothing and when you give them some honey they are happy as a tic on a dog :-D They are mostly older people that may have land and either dont farm it any more and just like some one that comes around to talk to or have cut way back due to age and lack of help. I have rounded up stray farm animals, fixed bad fences and countless other things that I did not have to do but not only have I made some very good friends I also have access to property not only for bees but for hunting and fishing too.
Otherwise if you have no one around you like that then ALWAYS work out ALL the details up front so there are no surprises and NEVER asume anything !!!!!!!!!
The problem when someone springs something like this on you is that you aren't prepared if it hasn't happened before. Next time you will be all ready with a whole laundry list of why 50/50 isn't happening, and you'll probably laugh at the absurdity of it. Or you could just quip with "Oh no, I don't want 50% of your crop for the pollination. I'll be happy with just the honey - if I get any. Thanks anyway though."
Very well said David !!! ;)
if you havent put hives there move on! finding bee yards isnt that hard. ride around and look for land, stop and talk with people you see, ( possible bee friendly owners ) keep looking! 50/50 could kiss my butt!
pass this one by!
bailey
yep, he should be tickled to death to have pollination services for free, but if this is a buddy thing and you know your pal is good for some (watermelons, cucumbers, corn, beans, whatever) then of course your buddy should have a good helping of your honey. but if this is strictly a business deal listen to the beeks here who do pollination placements.
It is definitely time to find another bee yard. I am quite sure you can find more agreeable land owners. I can't find enough bees to satisfy the people who have volunteered their property as bee yards. They understand the need for bees and are willing to allow me use and access to their properties. Granted, most would also benefit from the pollenation, but none have asked for anything. Indeed, most have asked what they need to provide for me.
My desire to have the bees close to home and on the organic farm are strong but I am going to try to talk to him and enlighten him on my side. If gives me any friction. I will just to have to keep searching. Thanks for all the positive feedback I didn't think I was crazy. First year lessons learned.
If you really want the bees close to home and you like the fact that he's an organic farmer, just find another place bordering his property to put your hive. You'll still get to have bees on his organic crops and you'll get all the honey!
Quote from: homer on March 21, 2010, 10:44:01 AM
If you really want the bees close to home and you like the fact that he's an organic farmer, just find another place bordering his property to put your hive. You'll still get to have bees on his organic crops and you'll get all the honey!
I was going to suggest that!
Well I emailed him and he saw the error of his ways and said that he understood my dilemma and has no problem with me sharing as I see fit and that we can talk about next year later. I will find a new place for next year but I will leave them to start there. Hell I might move back to New England for next year.
My question would be is there a better time of the year to move an entire hive? Thanks again for all the responses. It helped me convince this fellow temporarily it seems that he was getting a good deal.
...his neighbor will be more than happy with a couple of jars of honey...say 50 ounces...
I moved my hives in January. But be careful not to disturb the cluster any more than necessary.