Sonoma County, Local Bee Farmer Partner To Bring Apiary To Healdsburg

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Beginning early this spring, up to 120 beehives will be installed seasonally on a portion of vacant county property adjacent to the Healdsburg Transfer Station, the county’s refuse disposal and recycling facility on Alexander Valley Road.

Sonoma County on Tuesday announced a three-year agreement with Tauzer Apiaries of Northern California to host the beehives, which will be installed in a 5,000-square-foot area on pallets of four hives each, at least 100 feet away from occupied structures and public areas.

“We’re pleased to announce this special community partnership to host honeybees on county land in Healdsburg,” said James Gore, District 4 Supervisor. “It supports our land, our agricultural tradition and our regional economy.”

The beehive storage license agreement was brought forward by the Sonoma County Department of Public Infrastructure and approved by the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 13, 2022. Under the terms of the agreement, Tauzer Apiaries will monitor and inspect the hives in accordance with industry standards and pay the county $5 per colony annually to host the honeybees.

“We know honeybees are essential pollinators that help plants, flowers and food crops reproduce. That means healthier people and a healthier planet,” said Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This is an opportunity to help local farms, orchards and gardens, while at the same time support a local business in its mission to enhance biodiversity in Sonoma County and throughout California.”

Other government entities that partner with Tauzer Apiaries include the City of Davis, City of Fairfield, City of Petaluma and the City of Benicia. Under Sonoma County code, county property can be made available at less than market rate if the Board of Supervisors determines a valid community interest and the property is not needed by the county for the proposed term.

"Our community partnerships are the cornerstone of the health and longevity of our honeybees,” said Claire Tauzer. “Our family is honored to have spent the last 50 years devoted to local agriculture through sustainable beekeeping. By creating relationships that support our shared values and educating the public about the importance of managed honeybee hives, we can continue to create a robust local food system."