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Consistently ranks as the #1 honey-producing state in the United States
North Dakota Honey Directory
Your Complete Guide to Fresh, Local Honey
North Dakota consistently ranks as the #1 honey-producing state in the U.S. Its wide-open prairies and massive clover and alfalfa acreage provide a nectar paradise during the long summer days. The state’s honey is prized for its exceptionally light color and mild flavor, making it the industry standard for high-quality American clover honey.
What Sets North Dakota Apart
North Dakota Honey Scene Highlights
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Epicenter of premium water-white sweet clover and alfalfa honey varieties
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Vast stretches of high-quality foraging lands supported by Conservation Reserve Program land
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Essential spring staging ground for commercial migratory beekeeping operations
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Mandatory state-level apiary licensing system covering all operations from single hives up
Local Varietals
Honey Types Found in North Dakota
North Dakota Bee & Honey Profile
State Flower
Wild Prairie Rose
State Bee
Honey Bee
Honey Color
Water white to extra light amber, highly prized for its exceptional clarity and exceptionally mild profile
Peak Harvest
July, August
Primary Nectar Plants
Yellow Sweet CloverWhite Sweet CloverAlfalfaWild Prairie RoseSunflowersPurple Prairie CloverCanola
North Dakota Bloom Calendar
Interactive year-round nectar flow guide
Peak nectar flow: June, July, August
Bloom Calendar
Seasonal Nectar Flow
Click any month on the wheel to explore local forage details.
Minimal / Baseline
Moderate Flow
Peak Nectar Flow
Moderate Flow
May
Spring build-up speeds up as wild fruit trees, dandelions, and canola break into bloom, offering steady nutritional resources for early comb expansion.
The North Dakota Honey Story
Beekeeping in North Dakota represents the absolute pinnacle of commercial honey production in the United States, safely retaining the country's top rank for over two decades. The vast, uninterrupted expanses of the northern Great Plains, coupled with long summer days, create a landscape custom-built for immense honey flows. Each summer, hundreds of thousands of migratory hives travel from overwintering states like California, Texas, and Florida to feast upon the northern prairies, transforming the state into a vibrant, high-output agricultural epicenter.
Fun Fact
North Dakota has comfortably held the title of the number one honey-producing state in the nation for over 20 consecutive years, often producing more than double the volume of the next nearest state.
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
North Dakota Honey Production
By the Numbers
#1
National Rank
by honey production
28.1M lbs
Annual Honey
USDA NASS 2023 Honey Report
520,000
Managed Colonies
USDA NASS 2023 Honey Report
350
Registered Beekeepers
Official figures capture the summer honey production baselines recorded within state borders by NASS. Real-time active numbers shift dramatically because North Dakota acts as the premier summer destination for hundreds of thousands of migratory colonies that overwinter and pollinate crops out of state.
Featured Apiaries in North Dakota
Connect with these premier honey producers for the best local experience
Upcoming Honey Events in North Dakota
Don't miss these exciting honey and beekeeping events in North Dakota
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Beekeeping Regulations
Hive Registrationyes
Backyard Beekeepingvaries by municipality
Min. Hive Setback5 ft
State law mandates that every individual managing one or more active hives must obtain a commercial or hobbyist license annually from the NDDA. Beekeepers must officially register all structural apiary locations, secure formal landowner permissions, and prominently mount bright signage detailing clear contact parameters at the primary entry points of all yards.
Associations & Resources
North Dakota Beekeepers Association
StatewideVisit WebsiteThe association serves as a robust advocacy and scientific collaborative core, working closely with state agencies and university researchers to protect pollinator habitat.
State Dept. of Agriculture
Apiary ProgramNorth Dakota Geography & Climate
Climate Zones
Humid Continental Long SummerSemi-Arid SteppeUSDA Zones 3a-4b
Notable Beekeeping Regions
- •Red River Valley
- •Missouri Plateau
- •Drift Prairie
- •Turtle Mountains
Elevation Range
750 feet (Red River) to 3,506 feet (White Butte)
The topography of North Dakota showcases an expansive progression of glaciated prairies and fertile river basins moving into semi-arid western high plains. Apiary management across these vast spaces requires meticulous coordination with regional crop sprayers and a strategic emphasis on securing robust Conservation Reserve Program tracts to ensure continuous forage access.