Costa Rica, celebrated for its vibrant ecosystems and environmental commitment, is home to many rural communities that face economic challenges despite the country’s wealth of natural resources. Innovative initiatives like Bees 4 Goodare stepping in to make a difference, creating sustainable revenue streams through beekeeping for families involved in Creciendo Juntos’ (Growing Together) Home Gardens project. By offering beekeeping as an additional income source, Bees 4 Good provides a meaningful way for families to increase financial stability, build resilience, and contribute to environmental conservation.
These families are already benefiting from selling their fresh produce directly to the Four Seasons Papagayo, Andaz in Costa Rica, and Peninsula Papagayo. Now, with the introduction of honey production, the hope is that these same partnerships will extend to include honey sales, offering even more revenue and security for these hardworking families.
Creciendo Juntos and the Home Gardens Project
Creciendo Juntos’ Home Gardens project has already changed the lives of many rural families in Guanacaste. By teaching them how to grow their own organic produce, the project improves both food security and income. Partnering with luxury resorts such as the Four Seasons Papagayo and Andaz has allowed these families to sell their produce directly to the hotel kitchens, earning better prices than they would through traditional channels. The elimination of the middleman means that more of their earnings stay with the families, contributing to their financial stability.
The Home Gardens project has been highly successful, and Bees 4 Good offers beekeeping as a natural complement to the families’ agricultural activities. The initial group of Bees 4 Good beekeepers has already been selected, and they look forward to receiving their first hives later this fall. In Costa Rica, honey harvesting occurs primarily between January and April, so the families will be able to collect their first harvest early next year. Based on donations and interest, we plan to expand this program to even more families in the future.
Samira Moore’s Vision and Personal Connection
Bees 4 Good was founded by Samira Moore, a young social entrepreneur with a deep personal connection to Costa Rica. Samira is my daughter and grew up in Costa Rica, from birth until the age of nine. While we lived in the capital, we spent many holidays visiting Peninsula Papagayo for vacations and long weekends. Samira has fostered a deep love for the kind and friendly Costa Rican people. Now a student at Miami Palmetto High School, she wants to give back with this program.
Samira is a 7th generation beekeeper, and in 2022, our family launched “Have Some Honey,” a small cottage business in Miami, selling hyper-local, small-batch honey from our backyard beehives. Samira took this experience and wanted to extend it to Costa Rican families, which is how Bees 4 Good was born.
Samira is also actively involved in training the selected families in beekeeping techniques. Her goal is not only to provide equipment but to ensure that these families feel confident and supported in their new venture, helping them grow both their agricultural and beekeeping knowledge.
Her passion for empowering women and creating sustainable opportunities is the driving force behind Bees 4 Good. She saw how much potential there was to add beekeeping as a new source of income for families who were already working hard in the Home Gardens project. Samira’s vision is to offer these families—especially women—an accessible way to earn extra income, complementing their existing agricultural work while contributing to the health of local ecosystems. This mission is reflected in the Bees 4 Good tagline: “Creating opportunity, one hive at a time.”
Beekeeping: An Opportunity to Thrive
Beekeeping is an ideal addition to the Home Gardens project for many reasons. It requires minimal space, and once established, hives need little daily maintenance. Families can continue growing and selling produce while also reaping the benefits of honey and other bee products like beeswax and propolis. Each hive can produce up to 60 pounds of honey per year, offering a substantial new revenue stream. And since bees also help pollinate gardens, crop yields can improve, creating a positive feedback loop for families.
The biggest challenge in beekeeping is the upfront cost of equipment. Hives, beekeeping suits, smokers, and other necessary tools represent the most significant expense in starting a beekeeping operation. However, once the equipment is purchased, the ongoing costs are minimal, making it a highly sustainable venture in the long run.
How to Support Bees 4 Good: Make a Tax-Deductible Contribution
You can make a tangible impact in the lives of Costa Rican families by supporting Bees 4 Good through a tax-deductible donation. Every contribution helps provide families with the equipment they need to start beekeeping, giving them access to a sustainable income source for years to come.
Here’s how your donation can make a difference:
- $20: Sugar water feeders, needed to supply fuel to bees during rainy season when flowering plants are at a minimum
- $50: Hive tools (regular and J-hook), needed to get out the frames when checking the hive.
- $150: Purchases a smoker, a tool essential for calming the bees while working with hives.
- $180: Provides a beekeeping suit, ensuring the safety of the family members caring for the hives.
- $500: Buys a complete producing beehive, including the hive boxes, frames, queen excluder, lid, and bees.
- $1,130: Buys a 4 frame honey extractor, which can be used for all families, as program expands
- $3,000: Supports a full starter kit for two families, covering all necessary equipment to begin their beekeeping operation, including a honey extractor.
Your donation goes directly towards purchasing the most crucial equipment, which, as mentioned earlier, represents the most significant hurdle in starting a beekeeping venture. Once the initial equipment is in place, ongoing costs are minimal, and families can rely on their hives as a consistent source of income. By contributing, you are helping to ensure the long-term success of these families as they build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
To make a tax-deductible contribution and learn more about the project, please visit Bees 4 Good.
The Broader Impact: Economic and Environmental Benefits
Beekeeping has benefits beyond financial security. Bees are vital to the environment, acting as pollinators that help sustain local biodiversity. For the families involved in both beekeeping and vegetable gardening, the presence of bees improves the health and productivity of their gardens, leading to better crop yields and more produce to sell. This symbiotic relationship between bees and plants creates a holistic system where the families’ agricultural and beekeeping efforts enhance each other.
In addition to boosting garden productivity, beekeeping plays a crucial role in preserving Costa Rica’s rich ecosystems. Bees help maintain the biodiversity that is so vital to the health of the region, contributing to the sustainability of both local agriculture and natural habitats. By supporting Bees 4 Good, you’re also playing a role in safeguarding Costa Rica’s natural heritage.
Conclusion: Creating Opportunity, One Hive at a Time
Bees 4 Good represents a powerful blend of economic empowerment and environmental stewardship. By introducing beekeeping to families already involved in sustainable agriculture, the initiative helps them build diversified, resilient income streams while protecting the local ecosystem. Samira Moore’s vision to empower women and create opportunities for rural families reflects her deep personal connection to Costa Rica and her belief in the power of grassroots development.
As the families continue to sell their produce directly to luxury hotels, the hope is that honey will soon join their product offerings, further boosting their economic stability. With your support, Bees 4 Good can continue creating opportunities for Costa Rican families, one hive at a time.
To get involved and make a lasting impact, consider making a tax-deductible donation today. Your contribution, whether large or small, will help a family start their beekeeping journey and build a sustainable future.
