Ray's Story & Gallery
"But when I started keeping bees myself as an adult, It did not go well"
My Beekeeping Journey Started as Childhood Helper...
Hi, I’m Ray. My beekeeping journey started as a boy, by my father’s side, assisting with his bees in Connecticut and Vermont in the 1970s, over 50 years ago. Our original farm name was Honey Top Farm. The original sign is shown below.
When I had my own children, I decided to keep bees again. I was surprised that it did not go as well as it had with my dad! For several years, I struggled. I found that keeping bees in the South differed from New England, and that there were new pests spreading viruses. When my dad passed, I lost my mentor. I planned to quit.
But after a winter of thinking about it, I decided to dig in deeper by investing in a comprehensive beekeeping education. In doing so, I discovered many gaps in my knowledge, which led to success and joy in keeping bees.
... now a Master Beekeeper
Fast-forward through the years, and I run a small beekeeping business in Chapin, SC. called Honey Top Bees, named after our original farm. I have completed the goal of being a Certified Master Beekeeper via the University of Florida.
I serve on the board of both our local bee club (SC Midstate Beekeepers Association) and the SC State Beekeepers Association.
I focus on teaching beekeeping classes and selling bees and honey. I am available to speak at events and give bee farm tours.
In addition to beekeeping, I’m a husband to my wonderful wife and a joyful father to two sets of twins. I’ve been a pastor for over thirty years and have started two small businesses throughout my career: one in e-commerce and the other in restoring vintage drink machines.
Have Ray Speak To Your Group
Have Ray Speak at Your Event or Bee Club – In person or Zoom
I offer different presentations for Beekeepers vs Non-Beekeepers. An HDMI hookup to a screen or TV is required for in-person. Zoom meetings are typically live in my bee teaching room. You choose the Topic from one listed or anything bee-related!
Common Presentations
- Introduction to Bees and Honey (for non-beekeepers)
- About 30 min plus questions.
- Church groups, civic organizations, and lunch-and-learn meetings.
- Varroa Mite Wars – 45 minutes (Beekeepers)
- History of Beekeeping 45 Minutes (Either)
- More Honey, Less Swarms: Unlocking the Power of the Demaree Method (Beekeepers)
- A-Z Guide to Splits (Beekeepers)
- Any part of my beekeeping course (Beekeepers)
- Contact Ray to schedule.
- Link to my speaker BIO
Gallery
Honey Top Bee Family
Ray
Does most of the work 🙂
Tina
She has to listen to me ramble about bees.
Isaac
Known for inviting bees to fly under this veil so he can run around the yard in panic.
Belle
She eats honey on occasion, but really does not like bees that much at all