Urban beekeeping, a sustainable small business option

Have you ever considered becoming a beekeeper? It's a growing sector with a lot of upside.

The Canadian economy has been taking a pounding over the past couple of years. Jobs in the energy sector are disappearing every day, and this is having a domino effect on practically every other business sector in the country. In times like these, we need to get in touch with our inner entrepreneur and look for new sustainable business opportunities that we may not ever have previously considered.

Urban beekeeping is definitely outside of the box for most people. If it's done right, it can be a viable, sustainable and profitable business venture. But it's important to educate yourself as much as possible or you run the risk of losing your investment, falling afoul of the law, and endangering anyone in close proximity to the hives. So learn, learn, learn, learn before you jump in.

How you can get started with beekeeping

Many urban bee enthusiasts want to raise bees as a means of helping to increase crashing bee populations. There are organizations out there, such as Hives for Humanity, that can teach you what you need to know to become an apiculturist (beekeeper) and provide the hive that you then host in your own yard. This is a low-cost way to find out if beekeeping is really for you. If you decide to take it to the next level, you will have gained the practical knowledge and hands-on experience you need to start your own hives and produce and sell your own honey. You will also have an appreciation of the costs which will help you develop a realistic business plan.

The Urban Bee Network is an excellent resource for novices and experienced beekeepers alike. They have information on many topics, including checking out your local bylaws to find out if beekeeping is allowed, what type of permits or licences you will need, how to find other bee enthusiasts in your area, what types of plantings are most bee-friendly, and how to treat bee stings.

Check your area for industry organizations such as the Calgary and District Beekeepers Association. This will help you build a network of business contacts, knowledge sources and marketing ideas.

And be sure to check federal and provincial laws regarding the sale and distribution of honey and bee products. You will need to ensure that you comply with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations and requirements.

The pros and cons of having your own beehives

The benefits of being an urban apiarist are many. Some of the more obvious include:

a way to increase pollinator populations and promote biodiversity
promotion of food security through pollination
encouraging healthier bees due to better diet
relatively low startup costs
an opportunity to make additional income by selling artisanal bee products (honey, beeswax, bee pollen, royal jelly)
a sustainable and environmentally responsible business option that will weather an economic downturn

But there are negatives to consider as well, such as:

the potential to lose an entire hive due to disease, infestation or overcrowding
risk of stings and swarms
insurance liability claims if someone else is stung by one of your bees
legal and regulatory compliance issues
the time intensive nature of the hobby.

As well, you may face opposition from your neighbours who are not as well educated about the generally placid nature of bees and who aren't swayed by environmental arguments. And then there is the risk of theft of your hive - bee products are big business, and hive owners in many countries have been targeted by thieves looking to make a fast buck selling the bees on the black market.

Urban beekeeping is an expanding industry and one that is likely to be here to stay. There's money in that honey, sonny.