Regenerative Apiary Planning Guide

1. Apiary Location Profile
Establish the basic context of the site.

• Beekeeper Name
• Apiary Name / Site Name
• Address / GPS Coordinates
• Elevation (optional)
• Date of Initial Assessment
• Landowner Name (if different)

Land Use Type
☐ Pasture
☐ Native Rangeland
☐ Orchard
☐ Market Garden
☐ Mixed Agriculture
☐ Urban / Backyard
☐ Wildlife Habitat
☐ Other: __________

Acreage Bees Can Access

• Estimated acreage within a 3-mile radius: ______ acres

2. Landscape & Forage Assessment
Primary forage sources currently available

• Spring major plants for nectar:
• Spring major plants for pollen:
• Summer major plants for nectar:
• Summer major plants for pollen:
• Fall major plants for nectar:
• Fall major plants for pollen:
• Winter major plants for nectar:
• Winter major plants for pollen:

Floral Diversity
☐ High diversity (many species)
☐ Moderate diversity
☐ Limited forage

Native Plants Present
List key native flowering plants observed:

3. Soil Health Baseline
Baseline soil data allows regenerative beekeepers to measure improvement over time.

Soil Testing Information

• Soil Test Date
• Testing Lab / Organization
• Sample Location(s)

Soil Metrics to Record

• Soil Organic Matter %
• pH
• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Micronutrients
• Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

Biological Indicators

• Earthworms observed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
• Soil smell: ☐ Earthy ☐ Neutral ☐ Sour
• Soil structure: ☐ Crumbly ☐ Compacted

Soil Penetrometer Reading

• Depth of compaction layer: ______ inches

4. Chemical Exposure Risk Assessment
Potential exposure sources near the apiary.

Within 3 Miles
☐ Row crops
☐ Orchards
☐ Golf courses
☐ Residential lawn spraying
☐ Roadside spraying
☐ Industrial areas

Known chemical applications nearby

• List if known:

5. Water Sources
Distance to reliable water source.

☐ Natural creek
☐ Pond
☐ Livestock trough
☐ Irrigation
☐ Artificial bee water source
Distance from hives: ______

• Water quality concerns:

6. Apiary Design Plan
Number of Colonies Planned

Year 1: ______
Year 2 Goal: ______
Year 3 Goal: ______
Year 4 Goal: ______
Year 5 Goal: ______

Hive Placement Considerations
☐ Tree line with access to pastures of forage
☐ Morning sun
☐ Afternoon shade
☐ Wind protection
☐ Flood risk
☐ Vehicle access

Spacing Between Hives

• ________ feet

7. Regenerative Land Practices
Identify practices already in place or planned.

☐ Rotational grazing
☐ Native wildflower restoration
☐ Cover cropping
☐ Reduced pesticide use
☐ Hedgerows / pollinator strips
☐ Tree planting
☐ Water conservation practices

Additional notes:

8. Honey Testing Baseline
Honey testing can help identify environmental exposures and floral sources.

Honey Sample Collection

• Date of harvest
• Hive ID
• Sample location
• Sample weight

Tests to Consider
☐ Pesticide residue screening
☐ Glyphosate testing
☐ Heavy metals
☐ Pollen spectrum analysis (melissopalynology)
☐ Moisture content
☐ HMF levels

Testing Laboratory Used:

9. Bee Health Monitoring Plan
Record what you did or plan to do.

Frequency of hive inspections:
☐ Weekly
☐ Biweekly
☐ Monthly

Varroa monitoring method:
☐ Alcohol wash
☐ Sugar roll
☐ Sticky board
☐ Removal of drone brood
☐ Natural brood break
☐ Forced brood break

Integrated pest management strategy:


10. Renegerative Monitoring Goals
This section helps track ecosystem improvement over time.

Annual Indicators to Track

• Colony survival rate
• Honey production per hive
• Increase in flowering plant diversity
• Soil organic matter changes
• Reduced pest pressure
• Increase in native pollinators

11. Annual Reflection and Scorecard

What changes did you observe in the ecosystem this year?

How did the bees respond to the landscape?

What regenerative practices will you add next year?

What else do you notice about:

• Soil health improvement
• Floral diversity increase
• Chemical exposure reduction
• Colony survival rates
• Other nature signs and phenomenon