Buzzworthy Beekeeper

Betty Robertson: A Journey Through Beekeeping and Farming
 

At The Bee Ranch in Graham, Betty Robertson has created a thriving ecosystem where honeybees, chickens, and wedding flowers coexist in harmony. What began as a simple solution to a pollination problem six years ago has blossomed into a passionate pursuit of beekeeping excellence and agricultural diversity.

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Betty and her husband initially ventured into beekeeping when they noticed a lack of pollinators on their property. While they embarked on this journey together, they maintain separate hives, allowing each to develop their own approach. Betty's commitment to the craft led her to pursue advanced education through Oregon State University's master beekeeping program, where she gained invaluable scientific knowledge that transformed her practice.

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"I learned how stupid I was," Betty candidly admits about her early beekeeping days. The OSU program required her to keepmeticulous records of her hives, providing structure to her growing expertise. This scientific foundation proved particularly valuable given the often contradictory advice new beekeepers receive. "It is amazing what you learn as you pass different levels in the program," she shares.

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The journey to becoming a certified journeyman beekeeper is rigorous, requiring travel to Oregon for testing.  She had to demonstrate her way of hive inspections and pass a test covering her knowledge of bee keeping such as counting mites.  Once achieved, the certification comes with the responsibility to educate others—not just fellow beekeepers but the general public as well. Betty enthusiastically recommends Dewey Caron's books and videos as excellent resources for those interested in learning more about the science of beekeeping.

Betty's approach to hive management reflects her methodical nature. She believes proper management techniques like "checker boarding" can eliminate the need for hive splitting. While her first-year hives survived the winter successfully, this year brought challenges with the loss of her colonies, prompting her to purchase two new nucleus colonies to rebuild her apiary.

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Beyond bees, Betty's legal farm operation includes chickens and geese, with a particular system in place—she hatches the chickens and gives the roosters to a friend. Her agricultural pursuits extend to floriculture as well, specializing in wedding flowers, particularly white peonies, and custom floral arrangements. With characteristic pragmatism, she notes that building a clientele and achieving profitability typically takes three years of dedicated work.

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The diversity of flowers on her property not only serves her floral business but benefits her bees as well. Betty explains that different nectar sources produce honeys with varied characteristics—sunflowers, for instance, yield honey that crystallizes more rapidly than others.

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Before establishing The Bee Ranch, Betty served as a surgical technician for 43 years at Multicare, bringing the same precision and care to her medical career that she now applies to her agricultural endeavors. Her blended family includes three stepdaughters and seven grandchildren.

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Betty's generosity with her knowledge and willingness to mentor new beekeepers make her a valuable member of the local agriculture community. Her journey from novice to expert demonstrates how curiosity, education, and perseverance can transform a simple hobby into a fulfilling second career and lifestyle.