Economic Downturn

[annette]

I now have one hive and plan on having 4 within the next few months. Instead of ordering all packages (I did order one), I plan on catching swarms for the first time ever to grow the apiary.

I asked the Sacramento Beekeeping Supply store how business was and they said it was great. Busier than ever. Guess beekeeping is sort of immune to the troubles at the moment.

[slaphead]

My plans are on track but as I learn more I'm investing more sweat equity and ingenuity which keeps costs down.  The new hives are built from scrap wood.  Foundation has been abandoned for natural cell.  Swarm collection will be used to expand the apiary and raise the hardiness of the bees.   If the colonies take off 50% of honey production will be sacrificed to generate splits and expand the apiary.  The remainder of the honey will be sold as "Wild flower" with the proceeds reinvested into the expansion.  An extractor and heated knife will be rented ($10 to $25 for a week) if needed.  Starting this year with 5 hives, if we have a productive spring and summer hope to double that number by the end of the year.  If the swarm season promises to allow me to go beyond that I'll be financially stretched to do it but will find away.  That may involve TBHs  :-D.

SH

[poka-bee]

I'm on track also, gonna split my 2 this spring & buy 1 package or nuc.  If I get any swarms that will be icing on the cake Sean..**HINT HINT**.  I can be your little tag along helper! My eggs are paying for chix & cow feed. Will have a calf May or June. Hiefer I sell or keep for breeding fall 2010, bull we either sell or band depending on how it looks.  Planning on getting a 2008 bull to use for breeding back & then eating & selling 1/2 in the fall. Am splitting an order of 25 chix, Maran, EE's & Wellsummers so will have more eggs this summer. I can't keep up with the demand.  Hopefully will have some honey next year, planning on making some creamed cause people love it (so do I :-D) Got 20 boxes for this year, enough for brood & if they go bonkers on the blackberry flow I'll just have to do a box at a time & give right back for clean up & refilling!  The ladies @ Take Root Farm can't wait for the honey & beef! J

[Steve M.]

Well, the economy in Maine has never been anything to write home about.....we don't have the great ups and downs other places have....we are always fairly close to flat lined.  That said, we have budgeted for 6 more hives this year, with a goal of 30 by 2011.  We live very simply....raise most of our own food, barter for most of the rest, burn wood, etc.  Also, we made a pact a few years ago to never borrow money....only buy what we have cash for....now we are 4 years away from owning our farm debt-free....does make me a bit nervous with this new administration....would like to be completely debt free before we all have to become socialists :)

I am just thankful that I have a great wife, two wonderful little kids, and the opportunity to (soon be) making my entire living from my bees and farm.
--Steve M.

[tct1w]

Im in construction and my wife is a part time realtor. Do I need to say anymore. Built alot of equipment over the winter now just needs frames and foundation. Stashed  money back just for this. Its still in the drawer so Brushy Mountain, here I come. CU Dave

[rdrcl]

TLynn I could not have said it better, I wonder where we would all be today if we had not just had two years of political fighting, how much of what is bad is bad because we have been told it bad for so long that we started to believe it. Sorry soapbox off,,   I am hoping to maintain my 4 hives right now and be able to go into next winter in better shape than I did this one. I did some really stupid moves late last year and am really surprised any are alive right now, if I can just get them through the cold spell that is supposed to hit us this weekend I think/HOPE to still have them around and at least get all of the liquid gold I want to eat and drink (have a friend that makes some of the best mead there is)

[IABeeMan]

 I had plans to do some splits this spring. I winterd 7 hives and all 7 are rather strong right now. However with my current job being up in limbo I have decided not to buy any equipment until I am more certain with my jobs stability. I have searched for used equipment around me but the number of beekeepers here are rather limited and the few that there are around here even fewer are social.

[jeepaddict4life]

So far, so good. The only change is that I've had to order my supplies a little at a time rather than all at once. But I still have 2 packages of bees ordered, and 1 hive assembled so far. The other one came in last Friday, and is waiting to be assembled (I have to add the rabbit cut for the frames on one side of one of the deeps. Seems they forgot to). I'm really excited, especially since this is my first year doing this on my own. Here's to hoping everyone has a good year!

[manfre]

I'm starting up, but the economy hasn't changed my plans at all because I've always lived comfortably below what I can afford.

[Tucker1]

My employer is doing well in spite of the economy. Sales are actually slightly up, so things seem fine at this point in time. Let's see what fall brings, which is typically our slow time of the year. Things can change very quickly in this economy.

I've ordered my second package of bees. They will arrive in April. My existing hive made it thru the winter. I ended up giving most of my honey away to friends or relatives.

I'll limit my purchases to perhaps another 2 deeps w/frames, plus the package of bees indicated,  and that will be about it.  Like most, I'll be holding back on discretionary purchases.

Regards,
Tucker

[Daddys Girl]

I am going from two surviving hives to four by adding two packages.  I'll be requeening with local survivor stock queens.  I expect at least one split, and may be able to find a home for a nuc.  I've bought some Lang Medium equipment, some other Lang-related supplies, am building two TBH.  We'll probably add one additional bee suit and see about a cast off smoker for dusting. 

So I am expanding overall.

[Dane Bramage]

With The current downturn, I have found myself halting all expenditures on equipment and improvements, except for a few Nucs and Queens to replace expected winter losses, I am beginning to feel the heat of my debts and reduced income :(  I hope everyone else is fairing better. How's it on your end  :?

My guess is that this correction in the economy will generate an increase in beekeeping.  Perhaps many new beekeepers starting as the money-changing jobs evaporate and a general shift towards the agrarian ensues.

Cheers,
Dane

[Kathyp]

somewhere around here they are trying to make it legal to keep a few chickens in the backyard.  dane may be on to something, but a lot of town rules will have to change if people are going to be allowed to produce for themselves. 

[manfre]

somewhere around here they are trying to make it legal to keep a few chickens in the backyard.  dane may be on to something, but a lot of town rules will have to change if people are going to be allowed to produce for themselves. 

I'm fighting my town to allow hens (CaryChickens.com). It's amazing how many ordinances exist that prevent people from being self sufficient. Some make sense for an urban environment, others don't. Very few of them scale to match property size, only zoning.

[Two Bees]

Good luck with that one, Manfre!

[BeeHopper]

I see Beekeepers are still holding a positive attitude, lets see this poll hit 100  :-D