Our Story: From Quarantine to Queen Bees
The story of August Apiary began in an unexpected way in West Madison, WI. While quarantined in his basement, Christopher turned to YouTube to pass the time and discovered the fascinating world of beekeeping. What started as a curiosity quickly transformed into a family passion. By 2022, we welcomed our first set of hives, finding incredible success with our resilient and hardworking purebred Russian bees.
The heart of our business is family. When Christopher’s daughter, August, began helping her dad in the bee yard, the name August Apiary was born. Today, we are a thriving local fixture with over 40 hives right here on the West Side of Madison and a successful expansion in Cottage Grove, where our bees forage on lush apple blossoms.
Our Philosophy: Bees First
At August Apiary, we believe the health of our bees is the ultimate priority. To us, our bees aren't just livestock—they are our pets and part of our family. We are committed to sustainability; we only harvest honey, wax, and propolis that the hives have in excess. We ensure our bees always have everything they need to thrive before we take a single drop for ourselves.
From the Hive to Your Home
While Christopher and August tend to the hives, Mom (Andrea) is behind our beauty line. Using the "powerhouse" ingredients found in the hive, she formulates our skincare products to be as natural as they are effective.
Our current offerings include:
• Pure & Whipped Honey: Raw, local honey from our Madison and Cottage Grove hives.
• Artisan Apothecary: Moisturizing balms, targeted acne treatments, and anti-aging serums.
• Lip Balms: Handcrafted and infused with the benefits of our local wax.
Thank you for supporting our family-run apiary and helping us protect our local pollinators here in West Madison!