Queen Breeders Panel
Pat Heitkam started keeping bees in Santa Cruz in 1979. He got run out of town by Greg Walls and Bob Miller. Moved to Orland in 1979. The goal was 300 hives and 20 acres of apples. Fast forward to 2019, we now have 6000 hives and 20 acres with no trees. My son Russell and I, along with some very good employees, have a queen and pollination business which has kept us, our families, and 25 employees and their families clothed and fed. I’m very thankful for the life and the friends beekeeping has brought me.