Bee Business with Jim Hartman (337)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Jim Hartman, the 2024 North Carolina Small Farmer of the Year and a dedicated honey producer. Jim shares his journey from military service and corporate life to becoming a full-time “honey farmer” and entrepreneur. His passion for beekeeping and veteran advocacy shines through as he discusses building a farm business from the ground up—debt-free and focused on sustainable growth.

Jim offers practical insights into treating a beekeeping operation as a serious business rather than a hobby. He breaks down essential strategies like proper bookkeeping, the importance of filing a Schedule F, and setting clear business goals. Jim also highlights programs and resources available to veterans and new farmers, including the underutilized Veteran Small Business Enhancement Act and the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Whether you have 10 colonies or 200, Jim emphasizes the importance of mindset: stop thinking in terms of hobbyist or sideliner—if you’re running your bees to make a profit, you’re a farmer. His story and advice offer valuable lessons for any beekeeper looking to strengthen their operation and approach their bees with a business-first mentality.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

• Secret Garden Bees (Jim's Website): https://secretgardenbees.com
• Kutik Queens: https://www.betterbee.com/instructions-and-resources/meet-your-kutik-queen.asp
• Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act: https://www.sba.gov/document/information-notice-veterans-small-business-enhancement-act-2018-faq
• USDA Farm Service Agency: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/
• USDA Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/emergency-assistance-livestock-honeybees-farm-raised-fish-elap
   
• Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
• The National Honey Board: https://honey.com

• Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com

 

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