Great post, Grant!

I see the same in Calif--niches for small to mid-sized beeks (such as
myself).  And yes, Bob, we have historically been less prone towards putting
all of our eggs into one basket than those Midwesterners who depended solely
upon the local honey crop, until low prices forced them to travel to Calif.

It is interesting to me to go to association meetings in various states.  In
some, the vast majority are beginners and hobbyists (er, small-scale
beekeepers).  In others, there is a mix of all sizes of operations.

In North Dakota last week, there were nothing but commercial migratory
beeks.

Of course, the topics of interest, and the questions asked at each meeting
are different due to the sizes of operations, and the local conditions.

The meetings with new and sideliner blood are usually the most fun,
exciting, and have the best food and entertainment.

As Bob points out, in the large operations, in which placing (ostensibly)
live colonies in the right places at the right times is the focus, it is all
business.

Although most honey production and pollination is effected by the large
outfits, I am heartened by the resurgence of interest in beekeeping for the
love of it.

Randy Oliver

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