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Bee Hive Tours,Beekeeping Experiences & Classes

AT OUR VANCOUVER ISLAND HONEY FARM

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At Smith Lake Farm, we sell real honey directly

from our hives and provide unique educational experiences

for bee-curious people of all ages.

 

We're a boutique apiary and we grow and breed bees that are mite resistant , cold/wet weather tolerant and gentle. We believe this mission is paramount to local food security and healthy hives across the valley. 

We offer apiary tours, beekeeping courses, and mentorship for all levels, along with honey & hive sales.

Apiary Tours: During the summer we check the hives every other day. Please let us know if this is something you would like to be part of and we will suit you up! 

Cost is $30 per person upon arrival or request group booking

Available mid May to Mid September.

Due to weather and staff availability we can not set a schedule tour time!

So BEE ready! 

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west coast bee keeping

At Smith Lake Farm we have around over a million bees doing important work—providing us with nutritious honey and exceptional educational opportunities. 

 

Our forest and wetlands provide our bees with tree and wildflower nectar and pollen. 

Our cattle fields are sown with a bee friendly pasture mixture, high in white Dutch and crimson clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, and other flowering plants which are perfect for both honey bees and cattle. As a result, our native bee population increased over the past decade! 

We use best practice beekeeping methods and are collaborating with other apiaries

creating a local breeding program designed to create West Coast

bees that weather our seasonal challenges and parasites in good health.

Contact Us to find out about purchasing queen cells, nucleus hives and our overwintered 6 Frame Hive

specially designed for the new beekeeper.

Andrea, Beginner Beekeeping Course 2024

. I found it incredibly helpful and valuable and really appreciated every aspect of the course - the various modules and areas of focus, including all the hands-on work with the bees, including making a split, troubleshooting, marking a bee, mite testing, etc as well as all the practical aspects, including equipment and treatment protocols. While I didn't quite know what to expect, your course far exceeded expectations and I learned a ton. "
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