Bees have been a part of Tarheelbilly Farm since our early microfarm days in NC. Pesticide, herbicide, and parasite pressure make it difficult the support healthy hives, but we are committed to maintaining healthy colonies of bees. Ben is a proactive beekeeper who strongly believes in propagating strong genetics with minimal intervention. Preferring to catch local swarms to perpetuate hardy colonies of local bees, he propagates his own queens and does not use chemicals to treat the hives.

Tarheelbilly Farm is pollinator friendly. We leave large swaths of our fields unmown to provide habitat for birds, butterflies, and both native and domesticated bees. We also sow sunflowers, zinnias, black eyed susans, coneflowers, and other pollinator friendly flowers. Various species of milkweed are allowed to grow and thrive here, and we are proud participants in the Monarch Butterfly Waystation Project.