The Honey Top Bees Story
"But when I started keeping bees myself as an adult, It did not go well"
My Beekeeping Journey
Hi, Im Ray and my beekeeping journey started as a boy, beekeeping with my dad in CT and VT in the 1970s. Our original farm name back then was “Honey Top Farm”. The original sign is shown in the gallery below.
When I had children of my own, I decided to start keeping bees again. Frankly, I was surprised that it did not go well as it had with my dad! The first several years I would lose most of my colonies by fall, or over winter. I found that keeping bees in the south was different compared to New England. Not to mention that there were new pests spreading viruses.
And when my dad passed, I lost my mentor. I was frustrated, and like too many beekeepers, I had planned to quit.
But I decided to take one last shot at it by investing in a solid comprehensive beekeeping education. In doing so I discovered many gaps in my knowledge. Filling those in led to greater success and a greater enjoyment in keeping bees.
Today I Run Honey Top Bees
Fast forward through the years, and I run a small beekeeping business in Chapin SC. Among other bee-related endeavors, I help other beekeepers get started on the right side of the journey.
There is a joy in beekeeping which comes with having greater confidence and understanding of what you are doing. Beekeeping will always be a unique combination of science and art, but learning is part of the joy in the journey. The joy is in the journey, including both the ups and downs.
Now, I operate Honey Top Bees, named after our original farm. To keep learning, I am enrolled in the Certified Master Beekeeping Program at the University of FL, having completed the advanced level requirements in 2024 and intending to finish the Master Beekeeping Certification in 2025.
I serve in our local bee club as President of the SC Midstate Beekeepers Association.
I focus on teaching beekeeping classes, personal mentoring, selling bees, bee removal, and selling honey. I am available to speak at events.
In addition to beekeeping, I’m a husband to my wonderful wife and a joyful father to 2 sets of twins. I’ve been a pastor for over 30 years, and I have started 2 small businesses over my career, one in e-commerce and the other in vintage drink machine restoration.
Gallery
Honey Top Bee Family
Ray
Does most of the work 🙂 Loves to teach bee classes, try new things, and is currently enrolled in the Certified Master Beekeeper Program via the University of FL. I am available to speak at your event.
Tina
She has the task of having to listen to us ramble about our hives and other bee related tales.
Isaac
Loves to invite bees to fly into his suit so he can run around the yard.
Belle
She eats honey on occasion, but really does not like bees that much at all
What do we do?
Local Bees, Local Honey and Local Beekeepers
We are a small local bee apairy to the Chapin SC area. We provide local bees for sale, local honey, bee-keeping lessons, and mentoring for new beekeepers.
