In 2017, the Robertson family made the move from Fletcher, NC, to a more rural setting in nearby Hoopers Creek. That same spring, Jon and Carla decided to take the plunge into beekeeping, purchasing a couple of nucs to get started. Claudia quickly joined them in caring for the bees, and before long, the colonies thrived. By splitting the hives, the bee yard grew to 14 hives.

But the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Inexperience led to an unfortunate setback. By mid-December, all 14 of the hives had perished. It was a hard lesson, but one the Robertsons vowed never to repeat. Jon dedicated the winter months to studying beekeeping in depth—learning about proper nutrition, mite control, and the best practices for overwintering bees.

In 2019, the Robertsons purchased two nucs once again, applying everything Jon had learned. This time, the results were far more promising. Not only did the hives survive the winter, but also had a surplus of bees the following spring. The Robertsons decided to sell some nucs, and that initial sale marked the beginning of Hoopers Creek Bee Company.

Today, just a few years later, the Robertson family manage several hundred colonies and offer, local bees, and delicious raw honey.