Spring 2026 Nucleus Colonies

We are offering a limited number of Spring 2026 nucleus colonies (nucs) from our own Minnesota apiaries.

These nucs feature new 2026 queens raised from colonies that have successfully overwintered in Minnesota, selected for:

Gentle temperament – easy-to-work colonies that are a good fit for both newer and experienced beekeepers.
Good honey production – strong foraging and brood patterns that support surplus honey when conditions allow.
Winter hardiness – queens and colonies proven to build up well, survive our long, cold winters, and come out strong in spring.
Varroa resistance and resilience – careful selection from colonies that show good mite tolerance and respond well to integrated varroa management.

Our goal is to provide locally adapted bees that thrive in Upper Midwest conditions rather than relying on packages shipped from warmer climates.

All of our queens are open mated, meaning they mated naturally in the air with drones (male bees) from various surrounding colonies, rather than through artificial insemination. Because of this we don’t claim a specific subspecies of bee. Our bees included a variety of genetics from Italian, Carniola, and any other nearby colonies they may have mated with.

What you receive

Each nucleus colony will typically include:

A mated 2026 queen from our selected stock.
Brood in all stages (eggs, larvae, capped brood).
Frames of bees and resources appropriate for a spring start.
Bees established on standard equipment suitable for transfer into your full-size hive.

Exact configuration may vary slightly based on spring conditions, but all nucs will be built to give your new colony a strong start to the 2026 season.

Who these nucs are for

These nucs are a good fit for:

New beekeepers looking for a strong, locally raised start.
Experienced beekeepers who want Minnesota-hardy genetics to expand or replace colonies.
Beekeepers who value gentle bees, good honey production, and a focus on varroa-aware management.

If you are brand new to beekeeping, we encourage you to also check out our For Beekeepers page for educational resources and perspectives on beekeeping methods.

Pricing and availability

Availability is limited and will depend on how spring develops. Once we are sold out, we cannot guarantee additional nucs for 2026.

Each nuc is $175 plus tax. There will also be a $20 deposit required for the nuc box which is refundable upon return of the box. The deposit can be made now using the option below to reserve your nuc(s).

Pickup details

Nucleus colonies are pickup only from our apiary near Rockford, Minnesota. We do not ship bees.

After your order is received, we will contact you with pickup timing and details as we get closer to spring and can better assess weather and colony readiness. Normally nucs are ready near the end of May or begining of June.

Please ensure you have:

Appropriate hive equipment ready at home.
A safe way to transport bees (secure vehicle space, ability to keep colonies ventilated and shaded, etc.).

Reserve your 2026 nucleus colony

You can reserve your Spring 2026 nucleus colony using the PayPal button below.

If you have questions before ordering, or if you would like to discuss what might be the best fit for your apiary, please reach out through our Contact page. We are happy to help you think through next steps for your bees.