Many parents use real-life situations as lessons to increase both knowledge and principle. Tom and Paige Bennett of Bennett Apiaries, Inc., live this out every day in their family-run business. The health of one beehive affects the health of the others; likewise, the health of one company can have a positive impact on innumerable businesses. Longtime Red Bluff residents, the Bennett family manufactures quality beehive equipment, including boxes with the “Bennett Full Top Joint,” which are shipped across the country and into Canada.
Cutting wood on his $99 Ryobi table saw, Tom soon recognized a need, upgrading his equipment to make and sell wooden hives to other beekeepers. Paige, with a lot of family help, was left with the nighttime duty of moving hives around the almond orchards. The business grew, and the couple purchased commercial property and improved their machinery for building hive equipment, all while keeping 500 beehives! Commercial beekeepers gained confidence in Bennett Apiaries while watching the family’s business grow and prosper. Tom and Paige were excited to see their orders increase from hundreds to thousands of boxes and then to full semitruck and trailer loads.
Though the loss was difficult, ultimately Tom and Paige understood it was rebuildable. Their motto for business and family is “everything for God’s glory,” and that held even in their loss. Tom also believes that “whatever business you are in, you are in the people business.” It didn’t take long for him to figure out how to get back up and running so they could fill their customers’ orders.
If you drive by 13075 Baker Road take a moment to observe the busy hive. The Bennetts are known for leaving wood scraps and bags of sawdust for others. The sharing of the overflow of a healthy hive is a sweet sight to bee-hold.
The ancient word “Tehama” once meant a place where rivers could be crossed. With our county’s rich currents of history, happenings and hope, this is our crossing place today — where we meet to celebrate our beautiful Tehama County.
Posted in: This is Tehama
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