D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 0
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HEN YOU THINK ABOUT AGRICULTURE IN MONTANA, CHANCES ARE YOUR MIND IS FILLED WITH IMAGES OF WHEAT
FIELDS RIPPLING IN THE SUMMER BREEZE, OR ROLLING ACRES OF LEAFY POTATO PLANTS. Honeybees probably aren't the
first thing you think of, but Montana consistently ranks in the top five states for honey production in the United States. In 2014, Montana
produced over 14 million pounds of honey, and in 2015, Montana was noted as being the second-largest producer of honey in the nation.
It's not just honey, though… Honeybees are so valuable for polli-
nating crops that beekeepers from across the northern Rockies ship
their bees to California each winter to pollinate the vast swaths of
almond groves. There, the bees work hard during the short blooming
season before shipping back to Montana around the beginning of
summer. In Montana, the cooler nights and long, warm days restore
the vitality in the bees who have worked hard in the almond groves.
While they recover, they're also producing a heck of a lot of honey.
As the days shorten, the cycle begins again.
BEEKEEPING IN MONTANA
Being a beekeeper in Montana takes a lot of work. From seasonal
considerations to maintaining the health of the hives and the bees,
there are changes and upkeep to track during all four seasons, wheth-
er or not the beekeepers decide to ship their bees to California. The
effort is worth it, though—from the ability to produce your own honey
to the benefits that bees provide to the ecosystem, beekeeping is a
rewarding hobby accessible for anyone in Montana with the available
time and space.
by MAGGIE SLEPIAN
WINGFIELD APIARIES
Buzzing
MONTANA'S
HONEY INDUSTRY
Honey Bee research at
University of Montana
www.distinctlymontana.com/honeybee202
DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL
