How far should hives be from people who want to observe

Ready_to_learn said:

the public can walk along paths on the property to observe the workings of the farm
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I’m considering not doing a placement at all being that I’d prefer a farm field with nobody around to get in trouble

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I'd avoid the place.
Not in your best interest.
You don't want random people wandering near your bees.

Eventually, there will be kids who walk up to a hive and stick their fingers into the hive entrance - trying to pet the bees.
Just because they can.

Eventually, someone will get a yellow jacket sting - all the same, they will blame your bees.
Just avoid.

Ditto Gregs comment.
if you have a way 1/2 mile away on a different property.
place gets pollinated.
hives are not visible or accessible.

on purpose on a people path is fraught with ways to burn you.

GG

How close is too close to stand near someone aiming a loaded shot gun? Directly in front of it is a really bad idea, 100 yards away you're probably OK, 10 feet to the left or right of the front is probably still a bad idea, 2 ft behind and you're completely fine.

At about 40 ft in front of my hives I have been stung on one occasion while mowing grass. Honestly I suspect the bee just flew into me and wasn't pleased i was in her way. Occasionally I get their attention while standing behind the hives.

If you do go forward, I would point them away from the path. 50 ft is probably reasonable pointed parallel or away from the path. Bees do fly some distance ( up to a couple of miles) maybe there is a secluded area out of direct view / access that would work. A simple fence made of a few T post and a strain of wire may not be a bad investment. Being that it is an eco farm, maybe they could put up a wood fence.

And then one day someone comes along wearing some perfume or cologne that the bees find terribly offensive and start harassing the person who then starts swatting and screaming and then gets stung a time or two or more. What kind of liability insurance do you or the farmer have for something like that?

One time in the past I had a new beek come to my place wanting some calm bees. She had a hive and said they were mean to her. My generally very calm bees started harassing her and she started swatting. I got her to move away and then I smelled her perfume. I advised her to either stop wearing perfume or using smelly soaps when around bees or she would continue to have even calm bees harassing her when near her hives.

I am also thinking not a great location.

Is there any chance you can have a wall of trees/shrubs/similar between the hives if you put them there.

I would also look into insurance

A fence around the hives with signs also may not be a bad idea

RayMarler said:

And then one day someone comes along wearing some perfume or cologne that the bees find terribly offensive ..........

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Exactly!
General public is absolutely ignorant and even stupid around the bees.
Best for everyone to NOT mix the two.

There are 2 hives in a small fenced off garden at one of our local town trails. The hives have been there for years which tells me it’s a non issue. I always stop to see the bees after a short hike through the trails in the woods. The general public can get within 6-8 feet of the hives. Granted it’s not 10 hives although I have 12 in my backyard 100’ from my back door and no guests have been stung over the last 4 years.