About Us

Since 2013, HodgePodge Farm has been a local apiary and beekeeper resource located in Onondaga County. 

We currently manage 6 separate bee yards all within 15 minutes of our home apiary. 

This allows us to give our bees the attention necessary for success; including regular treatments for mites, inspections, 

and feedings if necessary. Our bees are not used for pollination services or moved to other overwintering locations. 

We want to breed for NY winter hardy honey bee colonies.

Our genetics began with Italian-Carniolan hybrids, and over the past 8 years we have brought in breeder stock that includes Canadian Buckfast (From Canada), Saskatraz and Palmer. Surprisingly, the breeder queens we purchase almost always perish 

in their first winter. However, when bred with our local stock we get great results and prevent inbreeding in our yards. 

Our goal is to enhance our local stock, not replace them. 

We keep different profiles in various locations to enable us to rotate them through other yards. 

Each season we select only around 4 queens from several hundred available hives. 

Instead of breeding for a specific named “class” of bee, we breed for specific traits that will help our bees,

 and in turn the bees you purchase, thrive in this environment. These traits include winter hardiness, 

honey production, calm behavior on frames during inspection/ gentleness, hygienic behavior, and of course 

the queen must demonstrate a strong brood laying pattern. 

We want the keepers of bees to be successful. We certainly don’t have all the answers, 

but we care for our bees and do our homework. And, we are happy to share what we have learned.