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| Photo by Allison Lamplugh |
Shonnard's Nursery in Corvallis opened over 30 years ago by husband and wife team Chris and Lynnette Shonnard. Their children, Andrea and Joel, have joined in the family business and now help manage the operation.
Official this November, their business expands again with the acquisition of local beekeeping company Nectar Bee Supply. Founded by Karessa Torgerson, Jen Larsen and Melanie Sorenson, all three will stay employed by Shonnard's to operate the department of Nectar Bee Supply at Shonnard's.
The nursery has a designated area for an array of beekeeping supplies. It will be a one-stop-shop for all things needed to maintain hives. Items range from protective clothing, honey harvest equipment, hives, pest control products, bee medications, and consumables.
"We will sell the bees and everything. We are already taking pre-orders now," said Andrea.
Products pollinated by honey bees account for one-third of the food worldwide. For the last 30 years their disappearance nationwide has been notable. Since 2006 the population has had a staggering 30 percent loss each year, twice the amount expected.
Nectar Bee is a member of the Oregon State Beekeepers Association and supports their Honey Bee Lab. In a study by researcher Ramesh Sagili, he found that Oregon beekeepers lost 21 percent of hive populations in 2013. The Shonnard's are committed to helping residents learn how to help combat the loss of honey bees, and increase local population essential for agriculture.
"A lot of our customers are very concerned with the sprays they're using, and we can help with that," said Andrea.
Involved with local honey bee communities, Nectar Bee is also a member of Linn-Benton Beekeepers Association. Locals will have the ability to consult with bee experts at the Corvallis storefront.
"We've already had questions, we've already had sales. We're just really excited because we actually have a store," said Larsen, specialist and department manager.
The union will give residents the benefit of a full service nursery and beekeeping center in one, the only one between Eugene and Portland.
"As far as we know, we're the only garden center with a bee center and experts," said Andrea.
Torgerson is a certified Master Beekeeper with expertise in swarms, brood analysis, drones, and nutrition. Torgerson will be joined by Sorenson to teach classes for the public on beekeeping basics.
“One of the most important things people can do for bees is to plant bee forage,” said Torgerson, “This helps improve human forage by nurturing honey bee and native bee populations, which pollinate the majority of flowering plants. I love that Shonnard's customers are already on board with that message, and am excited to engage with them on this topic and other related topics.”
The next class is scheduled for Feb. 28. Classes sold out last year.
With a tentative grand opening of Nectar Bee Supply at Shonnard's on Jan. 10, the two working together in the past made the merging of the companies rather easy.
"They partnered with us the last two years so it was a perfect segway," said Lynnette, "We think it's a no-brainer."
Local honey, beeswax candles, and gift items will be incorporated into the products for sale. Some byproducts may come from customers. Their "hosted hive" program is designed for those wanting a hive on their property but not wanting to be beekeepers. Nectar Bee will manage hives in exchange for half the harvestable honey.
We see the growth of it," said Lynnette," And there's so many pun opportunities, everything's a buzz."
Customers have been asking the nursery for years as to when something like this would be available. Now they can bee-aware that Shonnard's has made it happen.
Official this November, their business expands again with the acquisition of local beekeeping company Nectar Bee Supply. Founded by Karessa Torgerson, Jen Larsen and Melanie Sorenson, all three will stay employed by Shonnard's to operate the department of Nectar Bee Supply at Shonnard's.
The nursery has a designated area for an array of beekeeping supplies. It will be a one-stop-shop for all things needed to maintain hives. Items range from protective clothing, honey harvest equipment, hives, pest control products, bee medications, and consumables.
"We will sell the bees and everything. We are already taking pre-orders now," said Andrea.
Products pollinated by honey bees account for one-third of the food worldwide. For the last 30 years their disappearance nationwide has been notable. Since 2006 the population has had a staggering 30 percent loss each year, twice the amount expected.
Nectar Bee is a member of the Oregon State Beekeepers Association and supports their Honey Bee Lab. In a study by researcher Ramesh Sagili, he found that Oregon beekeepers lost 21 percent of hive populations in 2013. The Shonnard's are committed to helping residents learn how to help combat the loss of honey bees, and increase local population essential for agriculture.
"A lot of our customers are very concerned with the sprays they're using, and we can help with that," said Andrea.
Involved with local honey bee communities, Nectar Bee is also a member of Linn-Benton Beekeepers Association. Locals will have the ability to consult with bee experts at the Corvallis storefront.
"We've already had questions, we've already had sales. We're just really excited because we actually have a store," said Larsen, specialist and department manager.
The union will give residents the benefit of a full service nursery and beekeeping center in one, the only one between Eugene and Portland.
"As far as we know, we're the only garden center with a bee center and experts," said Andrea.
Torgerson is a certified Master Beekeeper with expertise in swarms, brood analysis, drones, and nutrition. Torgerson will be joined by Sorenson to teach classes for the public on beekeeping basics.
“One of the most important things people can do for bees is to plant bee forage,” said Torgerson, “This helps improve human forage by nurturing honey bee and native bee populations, which pollinate the majority of flowering plants. I love that Shonnard's customers are already on board with that message, and am excited to engage with them on this topic and other related topics.”
The next class is scheduled for Feb. 28. Classes sold out last year.
With a tentative grand opening of Nectar Bee Supply at Shonnard's on Jan. 10, the two working together in the past made the merging of the companies rather easy.
"They partnered with us the last two years so it was a perfect segway," said Lynnette, "We think it's a no-brainer."
Local honey, beeswax candles, and gift items will be incorporated into the products for sale. Some byproducts may come from customers. Their "hosted hive" program is designed for those wanting a hive on their property but not wanting to be beekeepers. Nectar Bee will manage hives in exchange for half the harvestable honey.
We see the growth of it," said Lynnette," And there's so many pun opportunities, everything's a buzz."
Customers have been asking the nursery for years as to when something like this would be available. Now they can bee-aware that Shonnard's has made it happen.
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