How Betterbee started
Back in 1979, lifelong Greenwich resident, Bob Stevens, could not find beekeeping supplies that met his standards, so he decided to open his own company. For 27 years, Bob led Betterbee to growth and success, seeking out and sharing high-quality products with beekeepers nationwide. As a former educator, Bob kicked off Betterbee's education program by offering classes in the early days, and he partnered with Cornell to help build its celebrated master beekeeping program.
Who we are
Today, Betterbee is owned and operated by three forward-thinking beekeepers from varying backgrounds: Chris Cripps, a veterinarian; Neal Kober, a contractor and entrepreneur; and John Rath, a mechanical engineer. Our education department is headed up by David T. Peck, Ph.D., and our beekeeping enterprise is run by an EAS Master Beekeeper, Anne Frey. Our crew has grown to nearly 50 full- and part-time team members.
Where we are
Betterbee is located at 8 Meader Road in Greenwich, New York, a beautiful town just east of Saratoga Springs. Our store is a popular destination for beekeepers, gift shoppers, and crafters. We also hold periodic beekeeping classes for beginner and intermediate beekeepers, as well as hosting a Field Day, with workshops and a guest speaker, at our county fairgrounds in the summer.
Your partners in better beekeeping™ for over 45 years
Through the years, many core values have remained the same: Betterbee aims to provide high-quality and innovative beekeeping products; outstanding customer service by many staff who are beekeepers themselves; and trustworthy education to help beekeepers succeed. We are grateful to have thrived for the past 45 years. Check out the full timeline of Betterbee's history through 2024.
Join the Betterbee team
We are proud to be a leading nationwide supplier of beekeeping equipment and education. To fuel our ongoing growth, we are constantly seeking motivated, enthusiastic people to join our team. If you are looking to work for a tight-knit business making a positive impact on the world, apply to be a part of the Betterbee team! Click here to check out our current job openings.
Sustainability at Betterbee
We are committed to operating our business in the most sustainable and efficient ways possible, and we are constantly improving our methods of doing so. For us, sustainability is both a direct and indirect practice. As one of the larger employers in Washington County, we are dedicated to continuing our sustainable practices. At the same time, we’re always looking for new ways to improve and increase our positive environmental impact both in our local community and across the nation.
Request a Betterbee speaker
We're always thrilled to help beekeepers and potential beekeepers improve their understanding of bee biology, increase the survival of their colonies, boost the productivity of their hives, and realize the importance of bees in agricultural and natural environments. Contact us to inquire about having a speaker from Betterbee deliver a lecture, class, workshop, Q&A, or another program to your group. We are happy to deliver presentations online, and can also travel to speak at your in-person event. Check out our available speakers' biographies.
