“You treat them right, They'll treat you right”: Understanding beekeepers' scale management decisions within the context of bee values

Abstract

The United States (U.S.) has seen a growing interest in small-to medium-scale beekeeping within the last decade. This phenomenon is likely due to the increasing awareness of the threats facing honey bees (Apis mellifera) as evidenced through recent widespread media coverage on Colony Collapse Disorder. Within the last decade, the number of beekeepers in Maine has increased by over 140%, with the majority consisting of small “backyard or hobby beekeepers.” Drawing upon qualitative interviews (n = 22) with small- and medium-sized beekeepers across Maine, we explore factors informing beekeepers’ scale management decisions related to the size and scope of their operations and the ways in which beekeepers value their bees. We see that a broad beekeeper-bee relation emerges, impacting some scale management decisions. These findings can help inform outreach, education and public policies directed at supporting the sustainable maintenance and growth of small and medium-scale beekeeping operations in Maine and around the globe.