Beekeeping Business and Financial Guides

A step-by-step guide for owners and managers to inventory assets of a beekeeping business. Following the procedure outlined in this guide will allow the beekeeper to record inventory in a manner that is consistent with financial standards for farm businesses. This guide also provides a framework for constructing financial statements and calculating indicators of business performance, such as solvency, liquidity, profitability, and financial efficiency. It allows owners and managers to evaluate the overall health and stability of a beekeeping business.

This guide is for beekeepers who sell or plan on selling honey retail. It includes New York laws and regulations for labeling, recommendations for marketing approaches, and suggestions for various marketing avenues including farmers markets and road side stands.

The ELAP program provides compensation for colony losses from adverse weather conditions including excessive wind, wildfire, and eligible winter storms. Beekeepers can apply for this program for free at their local Farm Service Agency.

This information sheet provides an overview of insurance products and disaster assistance programs for beekeepers. These programs can help mitigate risk from reduced honey yields, colony losses, reduced revenue, and low levels of rainfall.

Listeners of agricultural economist Travis Grout's presentation "Turning Your Beekeeping Hobby into a Business" can download the slides for future reference.

This information sheet provides an introduction to income, sales, and property taxes as they might apply to new beekeeping businesses.

Beekeepers in New York rent their colonies to pollinate a variety of crops including apple, berries, pumpkins, and legumes. A written pollination contract allows both parties to clearly outline their expectations. It also ensures all factors are considered before the colonies are moved. This sample pollination contract can serve as a starting point for beekeeper-grower negotiations.