Introducing Lorne and Alida Prins, members of the Alberta Honey Producers Co-op and a dynamic duo behind a buzzing success story in beekeeping. Leaving behind careers in construction, they returned to Lorne's family farm in Lacombe, Alberta to start their own apiary with a vision to cultivate not only honey, but also a deeper connection to the land.
Lorne and Alida Prins started their apiary in April, 2018. Having previously worked in various construction settings for over 15 years, the couple chose to return to Lorne's farm to start a family and a new business venture in bees. Together they built their beekeeping business from the ground up, with support from community mentors, family members and a handful of high school students who helped out at neighbouring beekeeping facilities in the area.
In 2019, the two began building their own honey extraction facility, capable of handling an operation three times the size they were previously managing. Since then, they have continued their business, with operations spread around a 20km radius from their honey house in Lacombe and Ponoka County. In 2023, the apiary had 2000 producing colonies, as well as another 1200 nucleus colonies where they produced their own queens. They take on a full time field crew of eight workers from April to October, in addition to eight students assisting them with honey extraction in the summer months.
625 Roseberry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada, R3H 0T4
Phone: 204-786-8977
Toll free: 1-866-788-8030
Fax: 204-783-8468
