Landowner agreements

[peacekeeperapiaries]

In most cases a gentlemans handshake/agreement is all that is needed. Keep it cleaner than you found it when you started, offer to help out when needed, and give a little honey when the bees provide it.

[mythomane]

Handshake. If you (or him) are thinking anything else just step away. The only problem I have ever had was a rancher who wanted Vetch and received Wildflower instead due to the pounding, non-stop rain. He intimated that I was making a fortune off his cover crop. I moved my hives out and across the street.

[pamlicofootball]

Anyone have a written copy of a land agreement they can share with us?

[Grant]

I have around 30 different locations, most of them with only a few hives. Most of these locations are with "friends" or people who think they are doing me one heck of a huge favor by offering me a spot for a couple of hives. And yes, they expect a jar of free honey out of the deal. I can only remember asking two landlords for a bee yard. Everything else was a solicitation on their part.

Since I have these locations fairly close to one another on a workable route, I can take the afternoon off and visit 5 to 8 yards, depending on what needs to be done. I'm working to expand my numbers per yard but landlords need to learn they can trust me, and trust the bees. You'd be surprised how much ignorance and spousal apprehension is out there even though they want you to put my bees on their property.

And to them, four hives is incomprehendable. Four hives to me is a initial start.

I also carry liability insurance for "product and premises." But this is expensive if you only have a few hives, but it's really costly if you create a problem.

From my perspective, if I asked someone to put a hive on my property and they showed me a written, legal agreement I had to sign, I'd politely tell them to find another place. Around these parts, written agreements foster more apprehension and distrust than mutual protection. Bring in a lawyer and the distrust will ripple through the community so fast you'll have to go 50 miles before you'll find a place to put your bees.

Yes, there are misunderstandings. I had a yard that didn't work out and we mutually agreed for me to remove the bees. It wasn't working out for me, it wasn't working out for them. No blame, no hard feelings. Just move the bees. I still give them a jar of honey every year just to show I don't hold a grudge. I don't speak harshly against them behind their back. It was a handshake deal and we parted as gentlemen. If you're unable to do this then change your hobby to stamp collecting or keep your bees in your own yard.

Place your hives and keep a good level of communication. Ask them frequently if the bees are working out. I had another yard that wanted 16 hives. The farmer expanded their farm and moved one of the vegetable fields too close to the hives. Their workers got stung. No problems, I moved the hives about a hundred yards further down the fenceline. It was their initial assumption that bees had to be right on top of the crop to pollinate it.

Maintain open communcation and humble flexibility. I continue to remind myself I'm a guest. Be grateful for the opportunity. Some farmers want me to call before I come and most of my farms do not want me to come out on a Sunday afternoon. My Jewish landlords don't want me on the farm on a Friday or Saturday. I can live with this.

If I can't, there's a thousand other places to put my hives.

Grant
Jackson, MO

[StevenG]

Grant has nailed it pretty good. When I see the landowner, I always ask if there are any problems with the bees, their locations, etc. Just today I had to work them one lasts time before winter, and asked the landowner what he thought about me putting a total of 10 hives in the location that has 3... No problem. Just keep the communication open, and behave. This particular husband and wife simply wanted bees on their property. No pollination, just liked bees. Of course they enjoy the 2-3 quarts of honey I give them.
Steven

[FindlayBee]

Yup, I was over thinking things. Thanks for all the great info and comments.

Found out he use to keep bees himself but lost interest.

Two possible locations I was shown. One I probably will not consider as it is along a bean field and want to avoid pesticides.

Second location is between two ponds near some pine trees. The pine trees would work well for a wind break, but I worry about people fishing. I was told that no one fishes between the two ponds (only about 20 feet from pond to pond) due to the trees being there.

[Jeffzhear]

I have a gentleman's handshake for all of my out-yards. I supply honey in exchange.