News Summary
The University of Florida has launched a program aimed at turning hobbyist beekeepers into successful small business owners with a $626,000 USDA grant. The initiative selects 30 beekeepers for a two-year training focused on honey and beeswax products, enabling them to monetize their skills and overcome challenges. Success stories like Gayle Goodfriend highlight the program’s impact in diversifying product offerings and developing marketing strategies. This initiative not only supports individual entrepreneurs but also promotes bee conservation and local economies.
Florida is witnessing a significant boost in its beekeeping industry, thanks to a new program by the University of Florida aimed at transforming hobbyist beekeepers into successful small business owners. Supported by a substantial $626,000 grant from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, the initiative is designed to provide essential training and resources to aspiring beekeeping entrepreneurs across the state.
As part of this initiative, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) has selected 30 beekeepers to participate in a comprehensive two-year program. This program focuses on developing small businesses centered around honey and beeswax products, allowing participants to monetize their skills and address challenges faced by hobbyist beekeepers in transitioning to income-generating enterprises.
Florida is home to approximately 5,000 beekeepers who oversee around 700,000 bee colonies, according to data from the University of Florida’s Apiculture Program. Honeybees play an indispensable role in agriculture, being responsible for nearly one-third of the global food supply. However, many hobbyist beekeepers have struggled to capitalize on their passion and may even have excess honey and beeswax without clear avenues for selling.
Among the successes emerging from this program is Gayle Goodfriend from Bradenton. After participating, she launched the Goodfriend Honey Company, transitioning from balancing her beekeeping hobby with a mortgage business to fully embracing her passion. With eight hives producing more honey and beeswax than she could personally use, Goodfriend seized the opportunity to learn how to diversify her product offerings.
The program provided Goodfriend with the necessary education to create various products, including candles, glazed nuts, and skincare items using honey and beeswax. Additionally, it equipped her with marketing strategies to effectively sell her products, both online and at local farmers’ markets. The business training helped hold key insights into developing a robust business plan and understanding product costing.
Goodfriend noted the transformative impact of the program, highlighting its comprehensive support structure. Participants are not only gaining knowledge and practical skills but are also receiving mentorship to ensure their ventures are sustainable and profitable. The response from the first cohort of 30 beekeepers indicates a strong interest and demand for structured training in this sector.
The importance of such programs extends beyond individual success stories. Honeybees are vital for environmental health and agricultural productivity, and by supporting local beekeepers, the program contributes to sustaining local economies. Moreover, it creates a platform for raising awareness about the well-being of bee populations, emphasizing the detrimental effects of pesticides on native pollinators.
With beekeeping emerging as both a passion and potential livelihood for many, initiatives like the one at the University of Florida are paving the way for an expanding economy in the state. The program not only champions agricultural entrepreneurship but also enhances public understanding of bee conservation. As the demand for local honey and beeswax products increases, more beekeepers may find opportunities to transform their hobbies into thriving businesses, fostering a sustainable future for both their ventures and the essential pollinators they nurture.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox 13 News: From Hive to Business – Florida Beekeepers Get Boost
- Wikipedia: Beekeeping
- Wink News: Beekeepers in Southwest Florida Warn of Aggressive Honeybee Presence
- Google Search: beekeeping Florida
- Click Orlando: Florida Save the Bees License Plate Nears Deadline
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Honeybee
- Florida Weekly: Sting Operation
- Google News: Florida beekeeping
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
