Ernie said, and Peter quoted:  "How do they define a sideliner as opposed to a hobby beekeeper?"
 
My thoughts:  I don't think hive numbers is adequate to describe one's "label."  To me, it is much more philosophical and economical.  It's about passion and purpose.
 
To me, a hobbyist (now called "Small Scale" by the ABF) is one who spends and invests money for the pure joy of keeping bees without concern for a financial return.
 
A sideliner, in my opinion, is one who invests time, energy and money with the expectation of a monetary outcome though it is not a principle means nor the majority of their financial picture. 
 
In my opinion, a commercial beekeeper keeps bees as the main source of income and dedicates the majority of their time and energy to make a living from beekeeping.
 
Still, we seem to need some kind of measurement to "label" and compare ourselves.  Since I'm in it for the money and the financial return, I think of myself as a commercial beekeeper, though my hive numbers would justify a much humbler description.  
 
So when asked, I simply say, "Yeah, I keep bees."   My wife calls it a "hobby on steroids."
 
Grant
Jackson, MO


      

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