How does the hive rental process work for almond pollination?

[Ian]

Reputation still has BIG meaning in business. One way to know someones reputation is to ask for references. I dont know if your in a position to ask the grower for references, but asking other beekeepers who has dealt with particular growers will provide you with what you need to know

[HarryVanderpool]

My first year into almonds I had all of my fellow beekeepers scouting around for a grower. They were already In CA and I was thinking that I would probably have to wait for next year.
Then my cell phone rang. It was a grower that had a beekeeper flake out. He asked when I could have by bees at his ranch.
I said, "Day after tommorrow!"
He met me at an intersection and guided me directlly in the orchard and we worked until all hives were placed.
Then he took me to a travel trailer alongside a barn, pulled out a checkbook and paid the entire pollination amount.
I was overjoyed! Then he tells me that I am welcome to sleep in the trailer and he got in his car and drove off.
This year will be the 8th year that I have been with this grower. Every year he clears out a lane in his barn and gives me a key so that I have a place to store my stuff.
He loans me his Polaris Ranger for the entire time there:



So there are a lot of different stories and strategies surrounding almonds, but for me is the same as all of the rest of my pollination accounts; no brokers, no middleman, no adversarial relationships. I really dread the day that I would lose any of my growers because I treat them right and they treat me right.
I look forward to almonds every year!

[RichardsonTX]

Harry.........I really enjoy reading your positive responses. They are encouraging. And, its great to see the relationships you and your customers have.

I hope to keep in touch with you and let you know how its progressing as I move toward my target of supplying hives for the 2014 almond pollination season.

I'm coming out to CA this coming March to get a close up view of the pollination process.

[RichardsonTX]

Jim,

Where is your operation in TX?

[jim lyon]

In the Jefferson, Tx area