OUR STORY

Janet Andrews began keeping bees two decades ago. The bees came swooping into a crack of the roof just like a cartoon. It was love at first sight, these honeybees were hers to keep! The bees were relocated into a bee box and placed in her vegetable garden. For Janet, who had already found a passion in cultivating fresh herbs and veggies from her garden, as well as collecting eggs from her beloved chickens, keeping bees to harvest their golden honey seemed like a perfect addition to her sustainable haven.

As Janet began to learn about the fascinating world of honeybees, she began to notice a need to rescue these misunderstood creatures. Janet began rescuing hives and giving them a new and protected home by relocating them into local residents’ backyards. With each hive rescue and honey harvest, she began to learn everything there is to know about beekeeping and her passion for saving the bees grew into Backyard Bees.

And then there were three…

Donald and Elizabeth Lockhart are a husband and wife team who are passionate about food, animals, people, and travel. Their culinary adventures and learnings (Donald is a chef!) have opened doors to meaningful hobbies and impactful relationships. Beekeeping started as a hobby when Donald reached out to Janet of Backyard Bees three years ago. Donald wanted to have hives at his hotel property and from that point on, Donald was hooked. Well, obsessed is more like it! Janet became Donald’s mentor and taught him all she knows. Elizabeth, a kindergarten teacher, is passionate about Donald and loves spending time with him. So, she learned all about bees as well! She is in awe of these little creatures and loves sharing her wonder with others.

After 20 years, Janet decided to step back from the hard work of hive care and harvesting, and instead focus on her beeswax skincare line. Janet saw that her bees would be loved and cared for, and offered Donald and Elizabeth a partnership. Together, they now care for 65 (and counting!) hives located in the backyards of families all over Orange County.