Progress report for ONC25-169
Project Information
Beekeeping is generally a two-sided operation - keeping bees on one side and sales to support the keeping of bees on the other. I propose an overnight retreat for a small group of beekeepers to learn about different business considerations as they prepare for sales. Bee clubs help their members become better beekeepers, but do very little to help beekeepers succeed in planning, branding, labeling, bottle selection, sales, inventory management, insurances, digital presences, and marketing.
I produced learning circles for beekeepers in Iowa during 2023 and 2024. Virtual learning circles had 50% attendance to registration ratios, but for the topics of insurance and logos, the rate was over 80%. Bringing business topics to a retreat will be explored before harvesting, bottling, and other decisions need to be made. Using a weekend format will be innovative through its compressed timeline as well as creating accessibility and community by having a small group with on-site experts who will be participants outside of their sessions. Participants will leave with training that can make a business economically viable in a way to sustain and balance the expenses of the beekeeping side of their operation.
Participants will go home with their own digital headshot file and Google business account, information to assess their market and financial readiness, knowledge about insurance products and questions to ask their agent; new or updated social media accounts and other digital presences; knowledge to support sales including storage, bottling, labels, and graphics; a panel with a small, medium, and large producer to demonstrate different challenges and paths to profitability based on size of operation; and networking with each other.
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
Research
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
The Business Retreat for Beekeepers was held in April 2025 with 2 retreatants and 5 agricultural service providers. Retreatants left the event with digital images (headshots and product shots), knowledge of insurance products, financial and market readiness, as well as knowledge from producers with small, medium, and large operations. They also engaged in networking.
Because the budget was approved to accommodate 12 retreatants, there was funding left for other uses. The leftover funding was used to hold online learning circles in 2026, as suggested by the grant reviewers.
The first online learning circle for this grant was held in Jan. 2026; the topic was Business Structures and Taxes. The speaker came from the Iowa Center for Economic Success. Twenty-two (22) beekeepers signed up for the event, 12 beekeepers attended the live event, and the YouTube recording has received 37 views as of 2/12/2026. Attendees were give an anonymous survey with 3 questions, and 5 of the completed the survey. Results as they were received are shown below:
| Name one thing from tonight's presentation that you plan to try in the next six months | Will you connect with the Iowa Center or other professional as a result of this learning circle? |
Anything else you want to say, maybe something you expected to hear but didn't, praise, suggestion, etc? Additional comments can be sent to julia@beelaws.org.
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| Talking with my account about all of the tax advantages and expenses I can claim in my bee business. | yes |
I have been to other bee business classes at conventions, but this was by far the most informative and to the point class I have attended. Thank you for allowing me to learn and improve my business and knowledge.
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| A few of the tax tips were appreciated. Most of which i knew, however, there was a couple o didnt. | unsure |
Good chat, the hour went fast! Thanks for the time to put this out!
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| Better understanding of business expenses and confidence on running my beekeeping as a business | yes |
Very helpful conversation. The focus on Q and A versus just talking was very helpful as well.
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| I plan to complete a schedule C for taxes this year and proceed to schedule F as the business dictates. | yes |
This was very informative and a topic I hadn’t heard discussed previously, thank you!
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| Get an EIN, form an LLC, and start running my beekeeping operations as a business. | no |
I would connect with the Iowa Center If I lived in Iowa; I live in Illinois.
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The next online learning circle was held in Feb. 2026; the topic was Cottage Food Regulations and Labels. The speaker came from ISU Extension and Outreach. Nineteen (19) beekeepers registered for the event; 11 attended the live event. The recording was not published on YouTube as of 2/12/2026. Attendees were give an anonymous survey with 3 questions, and 6 of the completed the survey. Results below:
| Name one thing from tonight's presentation that you plan to try in the next six months | Will you connect with ISU Extension or other professional as a result of this learning circle? |
Anything else you want to say, maybe something you expected to hear but didn't -- praise, suggestion, etc? Additional comments can be sent to julia@beelaws.org.
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| Getting our home food processing license! | yes |
Thanks for putting this together. The process of trying to comply with requirements can be so overwhelming!
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| Acquiring a home based kitchen license | yes |
I am interested in label enforcement. Especially in an industry that is being flooded. I feel we at Golden Hills Apiary really go the extra mile to have a professional and legal setup and it's so frustrating when we go to farmers markets or weekend shows and our competitors aren't having to invest the time and money that we have to comply with this rules and regulations so I am fairly interested in what the state plans to do to reign that in?
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| Making a label | yes | Very informative |
| Planning on making flavored honey with freeze dried products. | yes |
All very good information.
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| Unsure. | unsure |
Expected the presentation to be more tailored around honey and honey products.
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| Designing a label. | no | No |
Learning Outcomes
business structures and taxes
cottage food regulations
record keeping