My Dad: The Beekeeper
4/7/26
Written by Hannah Randall
For Mark Randall
Beginning as a hobby in 2014, my dad and I took up beekeeping. Growing up in rural Virginia, life was already full of chickens, creeks, and vegetable gardens, so beehives wasn’t out of the ordinary. Just another fun project on our makeshift homestead.
We took a course through Virginia Bee Supply, and from there began a long journey of learning through trial and loss. Sometimes the winter was too cold, there were mites, and even bears. Every swarmed hive became an important lesson. Through it all, my dad never gave up on our bees.
An avid craftsman, my dad has built much of his apiary by hand. From electric fences to frames to pollen traps, he applies his eye for detail and practical skill to every part of his operation. His tenacity and patience are evident in every hive he maintains. What began as a few experimental boxes has grown into a carefully managed apiary built almost entirely from scratch.
Poor Boy Apiary’s honey is as unique as the land it comes from. The flavor comes from tulip poplar blooms, goldenrod, mayapple, and other native Virginian plants. This blend gives the honey its signature amber color and a rich, floral flavor that is often described as bold and robust.
Today, Poor Boy Apiary has become the focus of my senior thesis. Decades of my dad’s hard work, whether through beekeeping, farming, or his full-time job, have given me the opportunity to attend college. I’ve watched both of my parents work tirelessly my entire life, and creating a brand for my dad’s apiary is my way of honoring that dedication. I hope this project entirely encapsulates the love and tenacity that has been poured into Poor Boy Apiary.
After more than a decade of experience, my dad has become a master beekeeper. He has built a thriving apiary that produces honey, pollen, and wax while sustaining healthy colonies year after year. What started as a simple hobby has become something much greate. It’s a testament to my dad’s character, perseverance, and craftsmanship.