The Buzz About Honeybees in the Grand Forks Region

Native to Africa and the middle east, honeybees have been part of human society for thousands of years. They’ve been depicted in cave paintings as old as 10,000 years ago and ancient jars of honey have even been found in Egyptian tombs. I’d try that for a dollar. 

Honeybees were brought to North America in the 1600s during European colonization which was a period of modern innovation for the industry. Since then, honeybees have become an integral part of our community and more specifically the Grand Forks region and the northern plains. While there are different subspecies, we mostly have the Italian variety here. 

Not only is North Dakota the largest producer of honey in the country, but honeybees also help pollinate our crops and native plant species across the northern plains. Honeybees contribute to the production of more than 30% of our food, up to $15 billion worth. If honeybees were to disappear tomorrow, several crops such fruits, berries, nuts and vegetables would be affected. Not to mention all the beautiful flowers. 

The scope of apiaries in the region is staggering. All apiaries in North Dakota are required to register with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA). This data is tracked is available on the Apiary Licensing and Registration website. These apiaries produced more than 38 million pounds of honey valued at over $67 million in 2023 alone. 

Because of the fragile nature of bees, the NDDA regularly travels across the state to ensure hives are healthy and track disease. With the recent decline in honeybee populations across the country, this work is important to ensure we can keep track of the health of these hives to protect their species and the beekeeping industry. 

There are hundreds of apiaries in the Grand Forks region. I was able to sit down with The Pasture ND who operate an apiary on a Certified Wildlife Refuge. Their honeybee story started out small. With just two hives, their operation grew into a business. 

Their honeybees pollinate a variety of wildflowers and other plants such as borage, cosmos, dandelions, and herbs like dill, oregano, and thyme. These types of plants have a drastic effect on the quality of honey. Look for them this summer at the Farmers’ Market or via their online shop. I have personally tasted their honey, and it is delicious! 

Why shop local for your honey? In addition to helping support your local community directly, local honey often tastes better and has been shipped a much shorter distance.  

National brands, on the other hand, often mix honey from multiple sources and process it to prevent crystallization. That can often negatively affect flavor. While local honey you will find is generally raw and will crystalize after a while, it can easily be gently reheated back into liquid form without affecting flavor. 

Finding local shops that carry honey produced right here in the Grand Forks region couldn’t be easier! I recently stopped at Midtown Marketplace in Grand Forks and was impressed with their selection. From raw honeycomb (yum!) to hot honey, they help support local growers like Beegirl.biz and Knight’s Urban Honey.  

Spice lovers will appreciate hot honey from Shine On Honey in three different levels of heat: “Ope!”, “You Betcha!”, and “Uffda!” – I’ll be darned if that isn’t the most midwestern way to describe your hot honey.

If you’re interested in meeting local beekeepers and getting started, the Red River Valley Beekeepers Association is a great place to start. Each spring, they offer beekeeping classes to help you get started. This group enables beekeepers from all walks of life across the region, from hobbyists to larger operations, come together to exchange new innovations and help promote healthy hives. Grand Forks does permit keeping honeybees within city limits and you can apply for a permit! 

You can also check out the North Dakota Beekeepers Association. For over 125 years, they have helped provide education and other resources for beekeepers in the state as well as advocate for better policy in the legislature.