No Bull Ranch Beekeeping

In the mid-80s, the family began raising cattle, swine, and chickens on a small farm, eventually focusing on purebred animals. A gift of a purebred Scottish Highlander Heifer Cow led to breeding crossbred calves. The transition to beekeeping began in the early 2000s after discovering the documentary 'Vanishing of the Bees,' which inspired them to take action against the decline in bee populations. They learned beekeeping from 'Bee Master Dave' of Dollar Mountain Apiary, who has been a mentor and collaborator.

The farm ensures that all bees are free-range, never placing hives where bees can only access a single floral source. They rescue bees from unwanted locations and build beehives for local sales. The emphasis is on maintaining bee health and productivity by allowing bees to forage naturally across diverse floral landscapes.

The farm offers classes on beekeeping and bee rescue, and they provide assistance for those who encounter swarms or hives in unwanted locations. They also produce honey from specific floral sources, which varies in quality and characteristics each year due to environmental factors. The farm highlights the importance of honey bees in pollinating food crops and explains the natural process of honey crystallization.