Oak Spring Garden Foundation Land Use Available

[OakSpringGardenFoundation]

Oak Spring Garden Foundation is seeking beekeepers looking for land to place their hives and/or expand their operation. We have had a beekeeper in the past and have limited hive boxes available for the beekeeper’s use, but we are uncertain of the status of our hives at this time. The ideal beekeeper will communicate clearly with OSGF staff as needed, but ultimately operate independently; they will be responsible for all care, upkeep, and management of the hives. Interested beekeepers will be able to tour the property and determine the placement of their hives. OSGF staff will be available to coordinate and carry-out land management (mowing, fencing, etc.) around the hives.

OSGF is interested in establishing hives in support of our land stewardship agenda. We believe our gardens, trees, pasture, and woodlands provide healthy and diverse habitats for bees and we look forward to sharing our land with a beekeeper. OSGF is interested in purchasing the honey from the hives in exchange for free use of the land.

About the property: The Oak Spring estate comprises 700 acres set in the Virginia hunt country and flanked by the Bull Run and Blue Ridge Mountains. OSGF is actively stewarding the land, already protected by Paul and Bunny Mellon as part of a conservation easement, to one day exemplify sustainable land management practices and provide ample opportunities for horticulture, arboriculture and sustainable agriculture. The property includes a formal garden that is managed by a team of experienced gardeners and extensive plantings of fruit trees. We are currently executing a number of reforestation, meadow conversion, and pollinator habitat projects as well.

If you are interested in placing hives at OSGF or have further questions, please contact hannah@osgf.org. We are more than happy to arrange visits for prospective beekeepers to tour the property and inspect our existing hives.

[Dan Ouellette]

I contacted Hannah at OSGF and will be touring the property next Friday to see if it's a good fit for my hives. I'll be glad to report back to the forum in case others are interested.