We live on our family farm in the remote and beautiful Clark Fork Valley of Western Montana. We love the work we do and take pleasure in doing it as a family. Our days are filled with being outdoors, growing our own food, spending time with friends, and most of all keeping bees.
Through our work on the farm, community outreach, and the products we create, we put the environment first. Our hope it to educate and foster an understanding and appreciation of honey bees, and care for the land.
- Our bees are kept in remote Montana locations with abundant wild forage and access to clean mountain rivers and springs.
- Colonies are visited regularly and managed individually based on each hive’s needs.
- Adequate honey stores are left for bees to successfully overwinter.
- Hive comb is replaced on a regular cycle to prevent contaminant buildup and support long-term colony health.
Questions Answered
Here are some answers to the most common questions we hear from our customers and wholesale distributors.
If there's a question you have that you don't see answered, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@hinduhillbilly.com
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We run about 800 hives, give or take. The number is always changing, it’s normal for beekeepers to experience losses anywhere from 10–30%. We do our best to keep things steady, but weather, disease, and pests can all play a part. In the spring, we usually make up for any losses by splitting strong hives and growing our numbers back up.
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Yes, our bees do just fine through the winters, as long as they’re properly cared for. They need good insulation, solid ventilation, a healthy population, and plenty of honey stored up to get them through those cold months. With the right setup and a bit of luck from Mother Nature, they make it through strong.
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There is currently no USDA organic certification for honey in the United States. Honey bees forage up to three miles from their hive, making it impossible to control or guarantee that all nectar sources meet organic standards. For this reason, “certified organic honey” is not a verifiable claim. Instead, we place our hives in remote, clean environments and follow careful, chemical-free practices that meet or exceed organic standards.
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We grow and work with calendula, tulsi (holy basil), chamomile, mint, lemongrass, monarda, yarrow, elecampane, mullein, marshmallow, elderberry, and rosehips.
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Our home farm is 3 acres. We care for approximately 800 honey bee colonies spread across more than 100 miles of remote and pristine Montana mountains.
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Our farm is home to 4 horses, 13 chickens, 4 dogs, 3 cats, and of course our bees. We recently said goodbye to our beloved mini pig, Dottie, and will be welcoming sheep soon.
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When Kavita and Justin got married, a friend jokingly called it a “Hindu Hillbilly wedding.” It stuck. Kavita is East Indian and Hindu, Justin’s from the South, and they met in the small town of Alberton, Montana. Over the years, the nickname became part of their story, so when they decided to start their apiary, Hindu Hillbilly Honey just felt right.
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Our journey into beekeeping started with simple curiosity and a desire to live more closely with the seasons and the land. What began as a few backyard hives quickly grew into a full-fledged way of life, and eventually, a business. We started out as hobbyists and ended up buying a small apiary from an old-timer in Darby, Montana. We began with 50 hives and have grown from there. It’s been quite a learning experience, beekeeping isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes grit, patience, and a lot of trial and error, but the rewards and the beauty we get to experience everyday makes it worth every minute..
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We love that our work changes with the seasons, it keeps us in tune with the rhythm of nature. Every day brings something different, and that connection keeps us grounded. We also love being part of our community in a meaningful way, helping connect people to the food and products they use. Working outdoors, caring for these incredible little creatures, and learning from them every day, that’s what keeps us inspired.
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