This is Tehama: Bennett Apiaries Boxes are the “Bee’s Knees”

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.

The beeline to beekeeping began in 2012 when Tom’s passing interest in his friend’s new hobby as an apiarist became committed research while he was on military deployment. He devoured information about apiology; the scientific study of honeybees and beekeeping. By early 2013, Tom, Paige and their three homeschooled children were knee-deep in the world of bees. The family rented hives out for pollination, extracted honey by the fireplace, and melted beeswax in the kitchen to make candles. Tom, looking to save some money, began building their hive equipment.

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.

On June 23, 2018, they had four such truckloads waiting for shipment. The Bennetts were at home when they could see smoke in the distance, in the area of their Baker Road business. Even though it was a hot and windy day, Tom, the son of a retired Red Bluff fire chief, had full confidence that firefighters would have the flames out in no time. Fire officials did all they could, but air attack was limited because of power lines in the area. Soon it became apparent that the Stoll Fire had laid waste to their business. Their lumber, equipment and truckloads of finished product all were destroyed, as well as many other homes and businesses nearby.

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.

The Bennetts now employ 18 people, and their new building will soon be completed. They are also purchasing the building to the west of them. Of all the blessings they count, nothing makes them happier than knowing that their business provides jobs locally, delivers a needed product to hard working beekeepers and even helps some of their suppliers grow. Just as a bee returns to the hive to share the abundance, the Bennetts feel best knowing others benefit from their labors.

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.