CA Pollinators
California's almond crop is annually the largest pollination management program in the world, with beekeepers from 38 states supplying nearly a million beehives (close to half the beehives in America) for this event. There are also many other crops that require bee pollination.
We don't have a very complete list of California pollinators, though more are added each year. Much of the pollination is brokered, so also check the broker list. Also, for almonds, check lists for other western states, as most of the commercial beekeepers are migratory to California. Here are some other sources that may help growers.
Blue Orchard Bees
Gerald Bodily,
Provides pollination service with blue orchard bees from Feb. 15 to May 15. Selma, CA,
559-8962355
(Posted 2-1-04)
Honeybees
Allen Bee Co., Richard D. Allen, 32807 Avenue 9, Madera, CA 93638-8309, 209-674-1842
Aten's Apiaries, Daniel Aten, 16323 La Canada Rd., Madera, CA 93638-8223, 209-673-3306
Bee-Haven Apiaries, Roberet E. Beekman, 3312 Birmingham Dr., Modesto, CA 95355, 209-634-3564
Beekman Apiaries, Bob Beekman, 5236 Geer Rd., Hughson, CA 95326-9700, 209-634-3564, almonds, cherries, alfalfa (update 2-3-04)
Bordin Bees, Richard Bordin,
9241 Troxel Rd., Chico, CA 95298, 530-343-0017
(booked for '04 almonds) (update 2-2-04)
Bradshaw Apiaries, Howard E. Bradshaw, 13451 Ave. 328, Visalia, CA 93292, 209-734-5333
Bob Brandi Honey & Farming, Bob Brandi, 1518 Paradise Lane, Los Banos, CA
93635, 209-826-0921,
209-826-6276
(updated 2-2-04)
Gene Brandi Apiaries, Gene Brandi, 15346 South Johnson Rd., Los Banos, CA 93635, 209-826-2881 (updated 2-2-04)
Bunch Apiaries, Troy Bunch, 933 S. Johnson Rd., Turlock, CA 95380, 209-632-6501
Cary's Honey Farms, Inc., Norman Cary, 23002 Close Ave. Exeter, CA 93221-0215, 209-592-3117
Chaparral Honey Co., James Gibbs, PO Box 1244, Valley Center, CA 92082, 619-749-2574
Cooper's Honey, Jewell & Hollon Cooper, 2351 E. Tulare Rd., Lindsay, CA 93247, 209-562-1389
Golden Bee Co., Sergey V. Molitvenik, PO Box 41041, Sacramento, CA 95841, toll free (877)GOLDBEE It's attanchment to Golden Bee Co., Within Fresno area or as far as OR.
Golden Comb Pollination Service, Larry Starkey, PO Box 1283, Marina, CA 93933, Phone: (831) 760-6344, Turlock Office: (209) 620-3442 -Tony, Manteca Office: (209) 609-1283 -Larry, 1500+ strong hives still available for almond pollination. Call early and get the best prices. -Bee Keepers -Brokers (new 11-01-06)
Ron & Sue Erb, 25768 Ave. 220, Lindsay, CA 93247-9536, 209-562-4117
Wayne A. Godlin, 19930 Copa de Ora, Los Banos, CA 93635, 209-826-2995
Happie Bee Co., James Wickerd, 5065 Stone Ave., Riverside, CA 92509, 909-685-7666
Wayne A. Harrison, 19930 Copa de Ora, Los Banos, CA 93635 209-826-2995
Heitkams Honeybees, Patrick Heitkam, 25815 Post Ave. Orland, CA 95963, 916-865-9562
Mark
Hoover, 1467 Hooker Oak Ave., Chico, CA, 95926 (530)
343 - 1893, 1200 hives,
Almonds, Prunes, Apples, etc.
Huron Pollination, Dan Kochergen, PO Box 1749, Huron, CA 93234, Office: 559-438-1220, Cell: 559-960-8008 Providing pollination to almond, cherry, and melon growers in central California. (listed 2-7-05)
Huston-Ferguson Apiaries, Leslie L. Ferguson, Jr., 300 Meadowlark Land, Banning, CA 92220 909-924-8260
Hvass Honey Co., Mark Hvass, 20615 Ave. 164 Porterville, Ca 93257, (559) 784-0832 (posted 4-27-03)
R. L. Jones Pollination Service, John C. Jones, 29507 W. Tulare Ave. Shafter, CA 93263, 805-746-2447
Albert G. Knoefler Honey Co., Bloomington, CA, Lucy Knoefler, 1007 Cardinal St. Lodi, CA 95240, PH/FAX: 209-339-8045 1,500 palletized beehives available for pollination contracts in the Central Valley area.
C. F. Koehnen & Sons, Inc., 3131 Highway 45, Glenn, CA 95943, 916-891-5216
Lakeland Apiaries, Dennis and Ross Lindberg, Home address: 3164 420th Street, Fertile, MN 56540, 218-945-6335 - Ross mobile: 218-850-3196 - Dennis mobile: 218-280-2087, California Address: PO Box 702, Waterford, CA 95386, 2500+ Colonies, Apple, Almond Pollination (fully booked for '04 almonds) (Updated 2-2-04)
Alan Mikolich, 41342 La Sierra Rd., Temecula, CA 92591, 909-676-4761
Miller's Honeybees, Bob Miller, 221 Sundance Lane, Watsonville, CA 95176-9726, 408-722-4977
Mountain Avenue Bees, Inc., Ron Spears, 1780 Foothill Blvd., Upland, CA 91786, 909-981-9794
Homer E. & Lois Park, PO Box 38, Palo Cedro, CA 96073, 916-547-3391
Steve E. Park Apiaries, Inc., Steve E. Park, 11226 Deschutes Rd., Palo Cedro, CA 96073, 916-549-3500
Paul Peterson, 10149 Wamble Rd. Oakdale, CA 95361, 209-847-4887
RJA Pollinating Co., Richard Ashurst, PO Box 58, Westmorland, CA 92281, 619-344-3726
Robertson Pollination, Jim Robertson, 14700 Hudson Ave., Dol Palos, CA 93620, 209-3922441
Sanchez Bees, Victor M. Sanchez, Jr., PO Box 595, Westmoreland, CA 92281, 760-351-1960 Will travel to Bakersfield, CA, 1,100 hives available.
Shane Honey Farms, 2000 colonies available for alfalfa, melons, onions, squash, kiwi, plums, almonds, apples, avacados, etc.. Central and southern California. (909) 938-1319 or (909) 359-1426 (04-13-02)
Wayne Scott, azuregardens@hotmail.com 128 Gleason Ave. 707-552-5283 Vallejo, CA 94590
Strachan Apiaries, Inc., Valeri Severson, Don Strachan, 2522 Tierra Buena Rd., Yuba City, CA 95993, 916-674-3881
Tolbert Farms, Ray Tolbert, 6000 Marysville Rd., Browns Valley, Ca 95918, (530)749-1445, 150 colonies, As far south as Fresno and as far north as Oregon state. Seed alfalfa or any crops starting May or after
Valley Heights Honey, Lon Lloyd, southern California, 200 hives available for almonds.
Walker-Lee Co., Inc., 3938 Pennington Rd., Live Oak, CA 95953, 916-695-2914
Bert Walters, & Sons, Bert Walters, 4318 Idaho Rd., Turlock, CA 95380, 209-667-0580
CN Honey,
Keith Jarrett, Jackson C.A., 209-223-9616, 1000+ hives
Thanks very much
See Also: Oregon: Dancing Bee Acres
See Also: Texas: Moore's Honey Farm,
See Also: Washington: Chester Ferguson
See also: North Dakota: Montana-Dakota Honey
See also: Idaho: Dave Kaneaster Apiary
See Also: MN: Custom Bee Services, Hoff's Honey Farm