Brittany’s Bees
is a women-owned and operated apiary located on thirty acres in Mitchell, Oregon. Beekeeper Brittany Dye has close to 400 colonies of honeybees and utilizes holistic beekeeping practices. The apiary received a $4,800 grant to implement a varroa mite-resistant bee breeding program. One of the greatest issues beekeepers face is the varroa mite, a parasite that attacks and feeds on honey bees. The mites often force beekeepers to put harsh chemicals into the hives to save the bees. The grant funds were used to purchase 160 varroa mite-resistant queen bees and other materials to produce more mite-resistant bees, ultimately improving the genetics of Brittany’s hives.
In May, beekeeper Brittany Dye introduced 155 specially bred queens into her hives to improve colony resilience. While many queens did not survive the winter, this challenge provided critical insights. Brittany now plans to breed from her own survivor stock—selecting genetics better suited to the region’s harsh climate. “This learning will strengthen future breeding efforts, supporting healthier, more sustainable bee populations. A full assessment of hive health is expected in spring 2025,” said Brittany.
