About

I am Michael of Ohio Valley Apiaries. OVA is located in the Ohio Valley on 80 acres in Utica PA. Several of my hives are situated in fields of Goldenrod, holly trees, elderberries, peach trees, an apple orchard, a blueberry patch, and a variety of wildflowers. The honey from these hives is harvested toward the end of fall.  

I had a great fear of bees since accidentally walking through a hive of yellow jackets and being stung more than 30 times when I was a child.  It was with a lot of apprehension when I started working with hives, and I always wear protective clothing and gloves to avoid stings.  A close friend began keeping honeybees about two decades ago. I was fascinated watching them fly in and out of the hive, carrying pollen on their legs.  I was encouraged to try it and agreed to a trial run in my yard at home, where I also enjoy gardening and growing food. 

My raspberry, blueberry, and green bean yields increased ten-fold that season and the honey was more delicious than anything I'd ever purchased.  One beehive turned into two... and it did not take long before I was planning expansions to 10 and 20 hives in multiple locations.  I began mentoring new beekeepers in 2017.  Each year brings something new.