Beekeeping isn’t just a guy in a white suit.

That’s the image most of us have, though: a mesh veil, a buzzing box, maybe a smoker in hand. But who are these people really? And what does it mean to care for a colony of 60,000 bees?

For most, beekeeping feels distant. Maybe even a little mysterious. A quiet figure in a suit, farming bees in the backyard. A vague sense of danger. But behind every hive is a real person with a reason, and a whole world you probably haven’t seen.

Beekeeping is an ancient craft, traced as far back as 10,000 years. Today, it’s also a growing movement among gardeners, homesteaders, and people looking to reconnect with nature. From small family farms to rooftop hives in big cities, modern beekeepers are reshaping what it means to care for bees all across the U.S.

For some, it’s about sustainability. For others, it’s about pollination or self-reliance. But for most, it starts with simple curiosity, and turns into something more meaningful over time.

Passed Down (and Picked Up)

Across the U.S, thousands of people care for hives, some full-time, some as a side hustle, some just for the joy of it. Many come from long family traditions. 

In Texas, Jake Moore and his father Chris keep thousands of hives right outside their home – and they're raising a new generation of beekeepers as we speak.

In California, Cameron Robertson took up beekeeping after learning from his dad.

Others, like hobbyist beekeepers in urban areas, are newer to the practice, but equally dedicated. What they all share is a deep respect for the bees, and for nature itself. At its core, beekeeping is about stewardship: keeping bees healthy, creating space for them to thrive, and harvesting only what they don’t need.

What Beekeepers Actually Do

It’s not just putting a box in your yard and waiting for honey. Beekeepers tend to their colonies all year. That includes monitoring for disease, managing swarms, ensuring the queen is healthy, and protecting against pests like mites. They track the seasons and move hives when needed. Some even truck their bees across the country to help farmers pollinate almonds, berries, or melons. 

A single colony can hold over 60,000 bees. And a beekeeper might manage hundreds of colonies at once. It’s part science, part intuition, and part obsession. The result is a delicate balance between human and hive.

Does it Hurt the Bees?

A common myth: harvesting honey harms bees. But responsible beekeepers only take the surplus – the honey the bees don’t need to survive winter. Many even supplement with sugar water during lean seasons to help the hive stay strong. 

In truth, good beekeepers improve bee health by providing safe habitats, managing disease, and supporting population growth.

And yes, you might get stung once in a while. But experienced beekeepers learn to read their bees. With time, and the right gear, most say it’s rare.

Thinking About Beekeeping?

You’re not alone. Whether it’s for pollination, sustainability, or just curiosity, more people are exploring backyard beekeeping. If that’s you, here’s a few steps to get started:

Learn the basics. Books, podcasts, and YouTube channels are great places to begin.

Join a local group. Most regions have beekeeping clubs or co-ops that offer mentorship, swarm alerts, and community support.

Get the gear. You’ll need a hive, a smoker, a bee suit, and a source of bees. Many people start with a “nucleus colony” (aka nuc).

Check your local laws. Some cities have zoning rules. Others are super bee-friendly. 

Beekeepers are Important

Pollinators like honeybees are responsible for roughly one in every three bites of food we eat. Beekeeping supports biodiversity, strengthens food systems, and gives people a hands-on way to care for the environment.

Every time you open a jar of raw & unfiltered Local Hive Honey, remember: it didn’t come from a factory. It came from tens of thousands of bees, and at least one person who cared enough to keep them.