Leveling Up Beekeepers to Improve Business Success
Agricultural Economics & Community Development
Amy Vu
State Specialized Program Extension Agent
University of Florida
Gainesville
Abstract
Background: Many beekeepers start out by bartering and trading honey products; then as they establish and grow their operations, they eventually move into selling honey and value-added products at local markets. In 2021, Florida updated its cottage food law to increase the volume of sales that can be made by selling honey bottled in a home kitchen. The updated law also offers more marketing flexibility by allowing online and mail-order sales of cottage food products. Many of these hobby/sideline beekeepers, however, are not equipped with the necessary knowledge of business planning, marketing, and regulations that coincide with producing and selling value-added products from the hive. There are very few existing resources to help beekeepers acquire this knowledge. A cohort of 30 Florida beekeepers were selected to participate in the “Leveling Up” beekeeping business program run by the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Lab. Objective: Leveling Up is a two-year program aimed at helping this cohort transition their beekeeping hobby into a sideline or full-time business, by developing a business plan and learning how to supplement their income through the production of value-added hive products. Methods: Participants interact with this program via monthly Zoom meetings, periodic in-person workshops, online courses and discussion boards, and through one-on-one consultations with program leaders. Results: 100% of participants have created a lean startup business plan; 83% increased their ability to develop a comprehensive 3-year business plan and 97% increased their ability to complete financial statements for their businesses. After the first workshop, 97% of program participants reported high or very intention to develop a 3-year business plan, to implement that plan in their business, and to complete financial statements. Conclusion: Through a combination of both in-person and remote interactions as well as both collaborative and independent work, the cohort has made significant progress in the development of beekeeping businesses that are legal, sustainable, and profitable. Moreover, the content developed for this small group of beekeepers will remain as a resources for other beekeepers developing businesses in Florida and around the U.S.
Authors: Amy Vu, Mary Bammer
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Amy Vu State Specialized Program Extension Agent, PI, Florida, 32611
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Mary Bammer Educator/Training Specialist II, Program Manager, Florida, 32611