Location, Location, Location -- What to Pay?

[FatherMichael]

I asked Clarke to lease or sell me some land for an apiary, since the nephew did not get back to me about it.  Grew up with Clarke.  His dad was the HS principal back in the day and my dad was on the school board.

The land in question currently has no value, according to the tax assessor (???).  But bees can fly a very short way to Cotton, which is now blooming, and is flush with Mesquite and wildflowers.  It is on a bend of Deep Creek, the only major source of water in the area.

[iddee]

I would give him a jar o0r two of honey. No cash.

[ed/La.]

I would give a gallon or 2. No money

[Ben Framed]

Just curious, how many hives are you going to run there if permitted to place your bees at this location?

[BeeMaster2]

I would give him a quart of honey AT harvest.
Last year I had to move my trail of 18 hives 4 times. Wives and neighbors complained and had to move them after having full approval from 3 owners.
Jim

[Ben Framed]

I would give him a quart of honey AT harvest.
Last year I had to move my trail of 18 hives 4 times. Wives and neighbors complained and had to move them after having full approval from 3 owners.
Jim

That was tough Jim. Are you all set this year? Are you having a good productive year?
Phillip[

[BeeMaster2]

Phillip,
No, my bees are sitting on the trailer in my backyard and will soon have no food. They are already losing weight. Where I put them last year, the guy also let a truck driver park his rig and he kept leaving the gate open. That teed him off so he is not letting anyone use it. We are still looking for a site.
We did get over 300 pounds of honey this spring, not counting the honey we got from cutouts.
Jim Altmiller

[FatherMichael]

Just curious, how many hives are you going to run there if permitted to place your bees at this location?

Will start with two next spring.

[FatherMichael]

I would give him a quart of honey AT harvest.
Last year I had to move my trail of 18 hives 4 times. Wives and neighbors complained and had to move them after having full approval from 3 owners.
Jim

Fear is hard to overcome.

I've thought of a trailer.  There are Sunflower crops that jump around here.

[Ben Framed]

I would give him a quart of honey AT harvest.
Last year I had to move my trail of 18 hives 4 times. Wives and neighbors complained and had to move them after having full approval from 3 owners.
Jim

Fear is hard to overcome.

I've thought of a trailer.  There are Sunflower crops that jump around here.

Brother Michael, it is true about the fear factor. Remember the old saying out of sight out of mind. Wishing you the best Jim and you also Reverend.
Phillip

[FatherMichael]

Brother Michael, it is true about the fear factor. Remember the old saying out of sight out of mind. Wishing you the best Jim and you also Reverend.
Phillip

Excellent point, Phillip,

I've seen swarm traps painted camo.  Maybe hives could be?

[saltybluegrass]

Hey Michael I talked to a guy that doesn?t go right to the orange grove owner for placement but to a neighboring property to setup with simple honey trade. My neighbors were outside last night and I asked how they enjoyed the honey? Lol they brought the empty jar outside and said now they would be paying customers!!  The other neighbor blessed us with the mostest bestest banana bread my wife and I have ever enjoyed.

Also raised around a farm, I?m saddened by your limit by an irresponsible gate keeper. I?ve never understood ?we?re you born in a barn? as that would mean you certainly do know the importance of leave the gate just as you find it!

[FatherMichael]

Clarke called today saying that we could work something out.  He'll be here in a few weeks to iron out the details.

Then he told me an interesting story.  Years ago Coach H brought them some honey (Clarke's dad was the HS principal).

I had given my bees to Coach H when I went off to seminary!

I wonder if the honey came from my old bees?

Drove out to the place and there is already a gate at just the right spot.  The land in question is about the only spot around with some trees for shade and it is on Deep Creek, the only sure source of water.

How does Deep Creek Honey Farm sound?

[BeeMaster2]

 
That?s what I would call it.
Jim Altmiller

[van from Arkansas]

I 2nd what Jim texted.

🐝Deep Creek Honey Farm🍯

A good name that the locals will certainly key in on. 

[FatherMichael]

Thanks, Jim and Van.

This is what I'm thinking ...

I can get a dozen hives on two acres.  That guarantees 30 yards between them, which is what Dr. Seely recommends.  Plus, I do not think this semi-arid environment can support more than that density, even surrounded by cotton fields.  The farmers must do cost/benefit analysis every year: irrigation vs. natural rainfall vs. market prices.  They do not always pour water to their crops.

Mesquite and wildflowers are entirely dependent on rain, of course.

Sunflowers and Lavender do well here.  I'd probably sow some of those seeds around the farm.

[Ben Framed]

Thanks, Jim and Van.

This is what I'm thinking ...

I can get a dozen hives on two acres.  That guarantees 30 yards between them, which is what Dr. Seely recommends.  Plus, I do not think this semi-arid environment can support more than that density, even surrounded by cotton fields.  The farmers must do cost/benefit analysis every year: irrigation vs. natural rainfall vs. market prices.  They do not always pour water to their crops.

Mesquite and wildflowers are entirely dependent on rain, of course.

Sunflowers and Lavender do well here.  I'd probably sow some of those seeds around the farm.

Brother Michael, I am interested in your project. The cotton honey in particular holds my interest. I have flirted with the idea of cotton honey. Did some research. From what I have read, not only do bees benefit from the cotton blooms , but the stalks also put out a (honey dew) that is also a source of nectar, if I remember correctly. Can you tell me more about the prospect of cotton honey and what you may be expecting?
Thanks,
Phillip

[FatherMichael]

Can you tell me more about the prospect of cotton honey and what you may be expecting?
Thanks,
Phillip

The cotton grown here is for a hot dry climate.  Even the irrigated land would not compare to floral patterns in the Deep South.

I have expect only 5 to 25 lbs per hive of cotton honey.  It is light amber and will cream up quickly and evenly.

Mesquite it the big producer here, depending on the weather.

[FatherMichael]

Walked the property today.  Will be perfect for an apiary.

A nice surprise was finding some Horehound.

Man, is it rough, though.  Jumped five wild turkeys!  There were several burrows (armadillo/porcupine/skunk).  Dead falls everywhere and several dead trees after five years of drought.  Gate needs a lock.  Wondering how I'll get through the waist high weeds in the spring.  Will need to suppress growth around the hives.

Open to suggestions.

[Ben Framed]

Walked the property today.  Will be perfect for an apiary.

A nice surprise was finding some Horehound.

Man, is it rough, though.  Jumped five wild turkeys!  There were several burrows (armadillo/porcupine/skunk).  Dead falls everywhere and several dead trees after five years of drought.  Gate needs a lock.  Wondering how I'll get through the waist high weeds in the spring.  Will need to suppress growth around the hives.

Open to suggestions.

You might have already said. How many acres? Any bobwhite quail?