> I see no reason to assume that every beekeeper is only in it for the honey.
Excluding commercial beekeeping operations, the profit motives that small operations and amateur beekeepers keep bees include:
- for the honey (to sell it at a profit)
- for the hives (to sell them at a profit)
- for side-lines like queen rearing (to sell them at a profit)
- for property tax breaks
There are also reasons that have no profit motives. Some beekeepers do it to "save the bees", but the bees don't need saving. Others do it because it's fun (yes, it is fun!). Some might even do it because the hum of the bees is so relaxing, and some even believe that bee venom stings are therapeutic (I've heard this from some friends).
Excluding commercial beekeeping operations, the profit motives that small operations and amateur beekeepers keep bees include:
- for the honey (to sell it at a profit)
- for the hives (to sell them at a profit)
- for side-lines like queen rearing (to sell them at a profit)
- for property tax breaks
There are also reasons that have no profit motives. Some beekeepers do it to "save the bees", but the bees don't need saving. Others do it because it's fun (yes, it is fun!). Some might even do it because the hum of the bees is so relaxing, and some even believe that bee venom stings are therapeutic (I've heard this from some friends).