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Home to 19,000 commercial colonies
Arkansas Honey Directory
Your Complete Guide to Fresh, Local Honey
The Natural State is a powerhouse of honey production, particularly in the fertile Delta region. Arkansas beekeepers benefit from vast acreages of soybeans and clover, producing a mild, versatile honey. In the Ozark and Ouachita mountains, diverse forest flora creates complex wildflower blends that are highly sought after by local enthusiasts.
What Sets Arkansas Apart
Arkansas Honey Scene Highlights
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Massive soybean and cotton honey harvests in the Delta
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Rich, complex wildflower diversity in the Ozark hills
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The European Honeybee is the official State Insect
Local Varietals
Honey Types Found in Arkansas
Arkansas Bee & Honey Profile
State Flower
Apple Blossom
State Bee
European Honeybee
Honey Color
Water white to extra light amber (soybean/cotton) to medium amber (fall wildflower)
Peak Harvest
June,July,August
Primary Nectar Plants
SoybeanCottonWhite CloverRattan VineBlackberryGoldenrodAsterMaple
Arkansas Bloom Calendar
Interactive year-round nectar flow guide
Peak nectar flow: May, June, July
Bloom Calendar
Seasonal Nectar Flow
Click any month on the wheel to explore local forage details.
Minimal / Baseline
Moderate Flow
Peak Nectar Flow
Peak Nectar Flow
May
The spring wild flow nears its peak in the hill regions. Bees forage constantly on clover and native vines, producing significant early nectar.
The Arkansas Honey Story
Beekeeping in Arkansas is defined by its diverse topography. In the eastern Delta lowlands, commercial apiaries thrive alongside massive irrigated fields of soybeans and cotton, producing mild, light-colored honey in large volumes during the heat of summer. Conversely, the Ozark and Ouachita mountains in the north and west support stationary and artisanal beekeepers who harvest complex, darker wildflower varietals from early spring tree blossoms, native clovers, and vines.
Fun Fact
The European Honeybee has been the official state insect of Arkansas since 1973, recognized for its vital role in pollinating the state's agricultural crops.
From the Blog
Honey Knowledge
Recipes & Culinary
Honey Syrup for Cocktails
A five-minute honey syrup that blends seamlessly into shaken and stirred drinks — all the floral depth of raw honey, none of the clumping.
By Art Marks
Recipes & Culinary
Bee's Knees Cocktail
The classic Prohibition-era gin sour, sweetened with honey syrup instead of sugar.
By Art Marks
Recipes & Culinary
Honey Hot Toddy
Whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water — the cold-weather classic.
By Art Marks
Arkansas Honey Production
By the Numbers
#31
National Rank
by honey production
874K lbs
Annual Honey
USDA NASS 2024 (2023 Crop Year)
19,000
Managed Colonies
USDA NASS 2024 (2023 Crop Year)
3,500
Registered Beekeepers
Colony numbers primarily reflect commercial operations (5+ colonies) captured by USDA NASS data; yield per colony in 2023 averaged 46 lbs.
Featured Apiaries in Arkansas
Connect with these premier honey producers for the best local experience
Upcoming Honey Events in Arkansas
Don't miss these exciting honey and beekeeping events in Arkansas
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Beekeeping Regulations
Hive Registrationyes
Backyard Beekeepingvaries by municipality
Under Arkansas Apiary Law, all apiaries must be registered with the State Department of Agriculture within 10 days of acquiring bees or moving them into the state. Registration is free and simple.
Associations & Resources
Arkansas Beekeepers Association
StatewideVisit WebsiteThe ABA acts as the umbrella organization for regional representatives (Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest) and hosts an annual statewide conference.
Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers Association (SWABA)
Visit WebsiteState Dept. of Agriculture
Apiary ProgramArkansas Geography & Climate
Climate Zones
Humid Subtropical
Notable Beekeeping Regions
- •Mississippi Alluvial Plain (Delta)
- •Ozark Mountains
- •Ouachita Mountains
Elevation Range
54 feet to 2,753 feet
The state's honey production is heavily split between high-yield commercial agricultural operations in the eastern flatlands and diverse, smaller-scale wildflower apiaries in the western highlands.