Johnston's Honeybee Farm is a sideline operation that has grown from 100 to 200 hives over the past seven years.   80 of these hives are now Two Colony Hives, an innovative beehive originated by the operation's owner.  In 2010 we expect 50 Combination Queen Rearing Nucleus and Comb Honey Hives to come into production.   Income for this operation is derived from honey production, the sale of bees to other beekeepers during Spring, and apple pollination during May.  

During 2001, a 20 foot by 24 foot warehouse was constructed for the operation; this warehouse has been used for both woodworking and honey extracting at different times.  In 2008, a large addition was built onto the original warehouse.  This addition will allow for the gravity flow processing of honey.   A sales room on the lowest level should come into production during the 2010 honey production season. 

The business started in 1979 while Michael Johnston was working for a commercial beekeeper in California.   Mr. Johnston worked ten seasons for package bee and queen producers.  He was very fortunate to work with two great queen producers: Clarence Wenner and Homer Park.  He worked directly with Clarence while at Wenner Honey Farm and worked with Homer while employed by Homer's son-in-law and daughter at Wooten's Golden Queens.

Johnston's Honeybee Farm is a sideline operation because Mr. Johnston is still employed as Senior Technician at Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District.  In the near future we hope to make off-farm employment more of a sideline and significantly increase the number of beehives run by the operation.