Sweeney Hill Farm will offer NUCs next spring!
I’d like to offer multiple options regarding the queens heading up NUCs. As I’ve been working here in Hawaii this fall, and I can already tell that the Kona Italian queens are nicer than my Tennessee mutt bees. The KQ Carniolan/Italian hybrids aren’t quite as nice as KQ’s full Italians. They’re on par with the nicer of my TN hives. Kona Queen’s sister company, Paradise Queen, is on the other side of the big island in Hilo. Paradise Queen is where the VSH breeding program is located. Paradise also offers full Italians and Carniolan/Italian hybrids, just in VSH versions.
For details on queens from Kona Queen and/or Paradise Queen, visit www.konaqueen.com. Please note that there is a 10-queen minimum if you’re interested in ordering, and that all 10 must come from either the Kona side or the Hilo (Paradise) side of the island.
Below are my nuc options for 2026. All nucs will be $225, with a $50 deposit required.
Option A: Overwintered 2025 TN queen (available mid-March to mid-April)
Option B: Newly mated 2026 TN queen (available early April to early May)
Option C: Kona Queen 2026 Italian queen (available mid-March to mid-April)
Option D: Kona Queen 2026 Carniolan/Italian hybrid (available mid-March to mid-April)
Option E: Paradise 2026 VSH Italian (available mid-March to mid-April)
Option F: P 2026 VSH Carniolan/Italian hybrid (available mid-March to mid-April)
Notes:
• All Paradise queens (E & F) come marked at no extra cost.
• All Kona queens (C & D) cost $2 for marking.
• Clipping from either company (C, D, E & F) costs $3.
• Most Sweeney Hill Farm overwintered queens (A) are already marked and clipped, and there will be no upcharge. There may be a few unmarked/unclipped overwintered queens available.
• Newly mated SHF queens (B) will be available marked or unmarked at no difference in price, but clipping costs $2 extra.
• Orders will be filled in the order they are received, with a limit of 10 orders being filled each week for the duration of the season.
PICKUP WILL BE IN LAWRENCEBURG, not Spring Hill. We’ve moved. Just stop by Zook’s beekeeping shop while you’re here to make it worth your while. He’s closed Thursdays and Sundays. Clear as mud? If you still have questions, just ask.