Tyson Knauf gave a talk on beekeeping at Fort Macleod Library as part of World Bee Day celebrations.
Tyson Knauf’s lifelong interest in insects led him to a decision to raise bees.
That decision to buy two beehives has led to a honey sales business he operates as a side hustle with his wife.
“I jumped in with both feet about five years ago,” Knauf said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Knauf was guest speaker May 20 at the Fort Macleod Library as part of its World Bee Day celebration.
Knauf, who lives in Fort Macleod, told his audience he had an interest in bees and decided to buy his first beehives after reading Beekeeping For Dummies.
“It’s a great book,” Knauf said. “When you’ve read the book, if you’re still interested in beekeeping, it’s probably meant to be.”
Once he decided to take up beekeeping, Knauf spoke to his neighbours in Kelowna to make sure they were all on board.
Then he bought two beehives, which came complete with five frames, of honey and pollen, bees and queens.
“Basically, everything you need to start a beehive,” Knauf said.
Knauf kept the beehives in his yard and became fascinated with bee society and how they function.
Knauf found himself spending more time than expected around the beehives.
Those first two hives produced about 120 pounds of honey.
“That also got me hooked,” Knauf said.
Working with the bees has become a form of relaxation.
“There really is something cool about millions of bees flying around you,” Knauf said.
Knauf told his audience about worker bees and their devotion to their queen, essentially working themselves to death in service to the queen.
Knauf finds fascinating both the resilience and adaptability that bees show.
Although he got into it as a hobby, intending to raise bees, Knauf and his wife Paige have developed a business, Haven Honey.
Knauf began with two hives in 2021, added two more the following year and doubled that in 2023.
Two more beehives were added in 2024, and the number almost doubled again in 2025, to 18.
The Knaufs now have 18 beehives they keep in the country near Orton.
Last year, the bees produced 100 to 200 pounds of honey per hive.
They sell Haven Honey, with flavours such as lemon, lime, cinnamon, honey butter, turmeric pepper and cranberry-pomegranate at local markets and in Horizon Herbs.
Knauf is working to get their product into stores in Lethbridge.
Last year the bees produced about 1,900 pounds of honey which, if it all sold, would generate $25,000 to $40,000.
The Knaufs post videos of their work with the beehives and post them at www.havenhoney.ca and on Instagram.
The videos have proven popular with customers.
“When you know the story of the honey you are buying, it just tastes better,” Knauf said with a laugh.
Knauf encouraged other people to invest in their own beehives, after first discussing the idea to ensure neighbours are in favour, and getting a licence from the Town of Fort Macleod.
“It’s a fun hobby,” Tyson Knauf said. “I recommend it.”
