Beekeeping industry

The 2024-25 season hit 55.6% annual colony losses - the worst on record. But Louisiana lost 71% while Vermont lost 21%. The national number hides what's actually happening state by state.

Two federal agencies and one university consortium track US colony losses. Their numbers don't always agree. That gap reveals how hard it is to count bees.

Some states have no beekeeping laws at all. Others require registration, inspections, and exact setback distances. What the patchwork actually looks like across the US.

Almonds in February, apples in April, blueberries in May, clover in June. Commercial beekeepers drive 1,600+ miles per season chasing bloom and pollination.

$12.2 million on Indiegogo. Goal hit in 477 seconds. 25,000 orders from 130 countries. Then came the beekeeper backlash - and ten years of real-world results.