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CSApiary (Community Supported) bee hive project, which will include at least 10 bee hives and produce over 300 pounds of organic honey.

This spring Michigoddess Apiaries is launching a new CSApiary (Community Supported) bee hive project, which will include at least 10 bee hives and produce over 300 pounds of organic honey. We are thrilled to be undertaking this project and ask you to help with a small contribution to ensure that the apiary is well-equipped.

Without bees our food supply and environment would suffer, and we are opening this apiary with the goal of promoting the local beekeeping movement and educating people about the many wonderful contributions that bees make. Bees are not only excellent honey-makers, but they serve a critical environmental role in the ecosystem, pollinating the millions of flowering plants and trees in our parks, community gardens, and urban/family farms. In keeping with the farm to table movement's mission of serving whole, all natural, unprocessed foods from local sources, the expansion of Michigoddess' CSApiary bee hive project will not only provide great organic honey and wax products, but also plans on participating in ongoing educational programs to interested groups that that highlight the importance of local bee keeping.

The $9,000 that we are raising through this Kickstarter campaign will pay for the honeybees themselves (combo of Russian, Minnesotan Hygienic, and Michigan Mutts) the hives where they live, and basic tools and honey extraction equipment for our volunteer beekeepers. We will be making all of the purchases from small scale or local organic suppliers. 

The land where the hives will be located is in Laketown township in Holland Michigan and has been donated for our use. Historically, the land was an orchard, but has been wild for almost 20 years and contains a plethora of flowering plants, wild fruit trees, and berry bushes. The result is organic small artisan micro-batch honeys that directly reflect the unique characteristics of each blooming season.

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Honeybee populations are declining. Among the reasons for this decline could be the cultivation of large monocultures, the use of herbicides and pesticides, loss of plant diversity and the increase of diseases and parasites.

Michigoddess Apiaries will be addressing these issues by the utilization of hygenic-trait honeybees who have a natural parasite resistant behaviors, natural management techniques to break the cycle of antibiotic & chemical dependence/resistance, and positioning our apiary on land that is rich in plant bio-diversity.

We will maintain population levels and hive strength by splitting and combining hives on a seasonal, as needed basis. We will be constantly researching and evaluating any improved natural management techniques in an effort to maintain stable hive populations.

FAQ

  • What sizes are the "small" and "large" jars of honey?

    The small jar of honey will be 16 at least oz, and the large jar of honey will be at least 32 oz.  

    Last updated: Tuesday Jan 8, 1:19pm EST
  • How exactly will the money be spent?

    Amazon/kickstarter fee--900

    10 Nucs of Michigan Hygenic trait honeybees--2000 

    10 Warre/Kenyan Top Bar Hives--3500 

    A fruit press for honey extraction--200

    Honey Jars--260 

    Labels & design 200 customhoneylables.blogspot.com

    Organic sugar for spring/fall feeding--100

    Organic powdered sugar--100

    Winter insulation--100

    Paint & painting supplies--50

    Transport rental to get bees & hives--450

    Hive feeders--100

    Electric smoker--150

    Natural grown certification--100 

    Wood H20 barrel--100

    Administrative, legal, miscellaneous, queen replacement, etc expenses--690  

    Any savings or discounts from these estimates will be put towards the acquisition of more bees/hives.  :) 

    Last updated: Wednesday Jan 9, 3:17pm EST
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28
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$1,224
pledged of $9,000 goal
0
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Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on February 10.

Funding period
Jan 6, 2013 - Feb 10, 2013 (35 days)

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  • Pledge $5 or more

    2 backers

    A hand written Thank-you Note & a photo of the Apiary

    Estimated delivery: Jun 2013
  • Pledge $25 or more

    15 backers

    A small jar of organic wildflower honey created by the Michigoddess Apiary honeybees.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
    Add $3 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $50 or more

    6 backers

    A large jar of organic wildflower honey created by the Michigoddess Apiary honeybees.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
    Add $4 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $100 or more

    1 backer

    "Bee"come a sponsor! We'll paint your name on a hive. If you're local, you can come and paint your hive in person! If not, we'll send you a photo and information about the hive. Either way, we'll send you a large jar of organic willdflower honey from our apiary!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
    Add $4 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $250 or more

    1 backer

    Tour the apiary! We'll give you a tour of the bee yard, plus a complimentary Michigoddess Apiary tote bag to take home, a large jar of honey, and you can add your name to our sponsor hive. If you can't make the tour, we will create a "virtual" tour just for you and mail it on a disc with all the other goodies.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
    Add $5 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    0 backers

    A 5 year membership in the Michigoddess CSApiariy which entitles you to a share of organic honey from every harvest! You also get your name painted on a hive, a (live or virtual) tour of the apiary, a Michigoddess Apiary tote bag, a hand written Thank-you Note, and our deepest gratitude for your generosity.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
    Add $20 to ship outside the US