The bees are headed back to California for 2026 almond pollination!  That also means our 2025 Iowa bee season is near it's official conclusion.  We have one more load to get out of Iowa and pointed for the Central Valley.  We had to reschedule one of the truckloads from November into December, so we have to wait a few more days before we will have all of them on the ground in CA or at least en route.  It is always a weight off of the shoulders to get through this last step of the annual migratory cycle.

Last year the bees went to Texas for the first time to monitor their well-being because there was massive die-off in the bee industry, and we also wanted to broaden our options by establishing space in Texas.  Our wintering site in Texas is exactly half the distance from us compared to California's almond country.  This year we feel good about sending the bees to Cali again, and we will fit the Texas angle into the picture after almond pollination is concluded.

Here we are strapping down a truck that uses the big front-to-back straps instead of the more common "v-boards" across the front and back of the net.  That's one big ratchet!

This time around we hired familiar truck drivers for every load.  One guy has been hauling for us for nearly ten years.  Sometimes our favorite drivers aren't available on our schedule, but it worked out for the end of 2025.  Having trustworthy people hauling the lovely girls for the two thousand mile trek is comforting, let us assure you.   Every year there are stories about  trucks tipping over or sitting around truck stops at dangerously high temperatures, so we love to have people that know what needs to happen for the bees to reach their destination safely.  

Most likely the bees will go down to Texas for splitting season March-April 2026 and then return to Iowa for the honey season.  That schedule depends on how almond pollination goes in California, but we will hope the weather cooperates and that the bees build up beautifully!  We will get a sneak peak at our prospects when we visit the bees in January!  Safe travels until then pretty ladies!