Want the benefits of a beehive on YOUR PROPERTY, without doing the work?

LEND a small corner of your property to a beekeeper!  Your garden will love you!

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There are many reasons you'll enjoy providing a spot for hives:

• Beekeeping is a LOT of work, and you do none of it!
• Prestige / bragging rights
• Satisfaction of knowing you are helping bees, and a beekeeper
• Improved pollination of your garden flowers, fruits, veggies, &  herbs

Why would a beekeeper need a place to keep a beehive?

Maybe they:

• Live in an apartment
• Their own property isn't suited
• They already have too many hives in one location
• They are splitting one hive into two and need to keep the hives separated by two miles

Step One:

Think through the commitment.  Here is a starter list of topics for the beekeeper and property owner to discuss:

Yes	No	Does the site have easy access for the beekeeper?
Yes	No	Can the beekeeper come and go as needed?
Yes	No	Does the landowner abstain from pesticide use?
Yes	No	Does the beekeeper need access to a water spigot?
Yes	No	May the beekeeper store supplies on the property?
Yes	No	Can the landowner limit human/animal traffic around the hive site?
Yes	No	Is the site suitable for bees? The Beekeeper will evaluate the site first hand, but some considerations will be: sunshine, distance to a water source, room to work, wind break, dry soil, etc.
Yes	No	If the colony needs to be split, can the additional hives be placed on the property?
Yes	No	Will the property owner notify the beekeeper of unusual situations? E.g. a windstorm knocks over the hive, raccoons or other wild animals seen bothering the hive, etc.
Yes	No	Does the beekeeper retain ownership of all the equipment?
Yes	No	Is the beekeeper responsible for all hive maintenance?
Yes	No	Is the land owner responsible for clearing any needed permissions, like HOA, or simply notifying neighbors?
		How much of the honey harvest goes to the land owner? 1-pound? 2? 3?
		How will the agreement be terminated? E.g. How much notice does the beekeeper require?
Yes	No	Will you print and sign your list of agreements, so everyone can remember the terms.

Step Two:

Check the table below to see if a beekeeper in your area is currently SEEKING an outyard, then contact them to discuss a possible arrangement. (The list is sometimes completely blank).

Step Three:

If you don't find a match in Step Two, OFFER YOUR YARD.  If beekeepers see a ready-made option, they may be spurred to create an outyard.  You can put your name on a private list -- only MCBA Beekeepers can see your contact info.  To add your name, Register as a Guest Member by clicking HERE.

You are not logged in. You MUST be logged in, and a full member, to see the contact info of people offering their yards.   

Notes

• Everyone can see the list of MCBA beekeepers SEEKING an outyard, but only MCBA members, logged in, can see the details for people OFFERING an outyard.
• If you are not a member, you can easily join - whether you are a beekeeper or just a bee enthusiast.  Sign-up is all done instantly, online.  CLICK to JOIN.
• Members can list themselves as either SEEKING an outyard, or OFFERING an outyard (a very nice gesture!)
• Members, to LIST or REMOVE your name on this page, login and update your Profile Page
• MCBA provides this unmonitored, unendorsed bulletin board as a service to Montgomery County, MD residents.  Use at your own risk, MCBA assumes no liability.

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PAID ALTERNATIVE

Are you excited about having bees on your property, but the above list didn't get the job done?  We are aware of some companies which provide this as a paid service.  Typical contract prices can range from $1,500 to $4,000/year.  Again, we cannot endorse any specific company, however as an informational service to you, we can provide contact information to help you find companies.  Click HERE to request our help.