We’ve been producing some of the highest quality honey on the market for over 94 years. While we take considerable pride in the taste and the quality of our honey, we’re really here for the bees.  

Unfortunately, keeping bees is extremely challenging these days. Historically, our founder, Charlie, would see a maximum loss of 10-15% of hives over our frigid Vermont winters. Now, Vermont beekeepers consistently report losses of 60-70% of their hives each year.  

We offer a unique perspective in the beekeeping world, as we have nearly 100 years of experience in the Champlain Valley with the same beekeeping practices. Our management methods have not changed – the environment has.  

This is due to a variety of factors, including the pressures of our changing climate, the reduction of flowers in our environment for our bees to feed on, and the persistent, dreaded honeybee pest: varroa mites. 

However, here at Champlain Valley Apiaries, we believe the major contributor to colony death and poor bee health is the wide-spread use of pesticides. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides that are overused and widespread across Vermont. We believe the decline in the health of our bees is directly linked to increased pesticide use in the state.

Despite these challenges, we have a passionate team of beekeepers dedicated to strengthening our hives. For us, our bees are like our family members. With careful management and a balance of cutting-edge research and intergenerational wisdom, our commitment to thoughtful, responsible beekeeping has never been deeper.  

We are proud to continue advocating for bee-friendly practices and policies while maintaining a steady, dependable presence throughout Vermont. The bees connect us, to families, farms, and towns across the Champlain Valley, the State, and the Country. It is an honor to play a small role in that living network. After four generations of beekeeping, this work remains both a responsibility and a privilege.