The Root: Let's Raise Some Bees
Donation protected
It's time to support our most powerful asset: Nature!
Parker Allen, on behalf of The Root, requests funding to purchase a beehive and its associated materials for the purpose of pollinating every acre of our magnificent land. Friendly bees will hum in our background to invigorate the environment, bind us with a 3,000-year-old human tradition, and thrive within a habitat that protects and supports this truly noble insect. With bees, the property will grow.
Who Are We?
10.1 acres of Upstate New York have transformed from an empty lot of hardwoods in the Mohawk Valley to a thriving community that builds with passion. Our DIY reality has grown through many hands and offers an experience of four tree houses, woodland zip lines, native flora, observatories, new friends, old friends, gardens, barns, wrap-around libraries, and much more. The Root Community is inclusive, creative, and absolutely ambitious.
Here's the Timeline:
February – Fundraising.
March – Purchase hive and materials.
April – Assemble hive, paint hive, establish hive area and path.
May – Install bees.
June – Monitor colony.
July – Potential first honey harvest.*
August – Begin winter prep.
September – Potential second honey harvest.*
October - Prepare hive for winter.
November - March – Rest. Overwinter.
We'll need TWO things to make it happen.
FIRST: Preliminary Funding Request: $950
o All contribution levels encouraged
o Recommended contribution: $65.00
§ Scope:
· If 10x fund: $102.05 per person
· If 15x fund $68.03 per person
· If 20x fund: $51.02 per person
All funding that is received ABOVE the scope of the project will go into a Root “General Fund” that’s used to support our many projects and upkeep.
SECOND: Calling all Beekeepers!
This project will require some communal beekeeping. The trade is a fascinating one that relies on knowledge rather than sweat. While I will take responsibility for the hive, I also want to share how fascinating bees can be and would love your assistance.
For reference, the work load for taking care of a hive is about the same as caring for a saltwater fish that can clean and feed itself. If you’re interested in becoming a beekeeper, or simply beekeeping in general, I’d like to start a beekeeper “book club” so that we’re prepared and excited about this colony. Everyone is welcome to join anytime – you CAN do it!
If you’re interested, SIGN UP HERE.
What will we get from it?
After our first year, The Root will produce an anticipated annual revenue between $50 - $550+ per year (per hive) while significantly improving our environment. Other products from the hive include: Beeswax, propolis, and bee comb. See below FAQ for detail.
*Honey extraction typically comes after the first year.
How do we buy Bees?
We buy bees in February and they arrive on a Saturday in Mid-May.
What will my contribution support?
Pollination and the establishment of honey production on the property by facilitating the purchase of:
· 1 bee nucleolus (colony of bees)
· 1 peaked hive with observation ports
· 2 bee suits
· 2 hive tools
· 1 medium super
· 1 smoker
· 1 children's epi pen + 1 donated adult epi-pen
· 1 bee bath
· 50 glass jars
· “Crush and Strain” Buckets for Economy Honey Extraction
· Misc. Beekeeping Essentials

FAQ
Why do it?
Bees have declined rapidly over the past decade and the Root will become a supportive force within a broad movement to save a superorganism that provides $14 BILLION worth of value to U.S. crop production. Backyard beekeeping has become an imperative response to the industrialization of beekeeping and the general reduction of native flora across the U.S. We'll practice natural beekeeping which will provide a service towards preserving this threatened species.
What will WE get from it?
It’s best to jump into this with the mindset that a Bee’s true benefit is to the environment and property. Their pollinating effect is unrivaled and will begin to produce new life in our trees and blooming flowers, which will have a compounding effect on the ecological balance of our land. In short: Bees are steroids for our habitat.
The act of raising and learning about bees is an enjoyable endeavor. They are considered one of the most complex “superorganisms” in nature and force the beekeeper to connect with the season. We’ll have to consider when plants bloom, how much rain falls, and the season that we’re in. We’ll slow down our hectic schedules once we consider the bees.
But how could we ignore the honey? It’s a gooey nectar of the gods and will come about twice a season after our first year. Like the colony itself, honey is a complex flavor that matches its exact surroundings and time of year, similar to wine. When you taste our honey, you’ll taste our land.
With this, I have proposed that we sell portions of the honey in order to support the Root and establish revenue so that we can continue to build The Root.
Are honey bees dangerous?
A common misperception is that honey bees are aggressive and therefore dangerous. This is not true. For our normal interaction with the property, these bees will not nuisance us or require any change in our collective behavior, even during Limb Snapping. The public often perceives honey bees to be the same as yellow jackets, whose behaviors are radically different. While I advise that children are kept away from the physical hive itself (unless under supervision), an un-opened hive will not be of concern. You’ll likely be able to approach it and walk around the immediate area of the hive without equipment, although each colony has a distinct personality. If we have a hive that is more aggressive than preferred, it will be the beekeeper's duty to “requeen” and breed out aggressive behavior. Ideally, we want “puppy dog” bees.
However, it is our responsibility to account for the unforseen. This proposal includes funding for two children's epi-pens, which can be used for a child or combined for use on an adult. When we open the hive for inspection or honey extraction, non-protected people should remain about 25ft away from the hive. While beekeeping suits will be encouraged, many beekeepers prefer to work their hives by just wearing a veil -- bees are typically docile.
Where will we put the hive?
The hive will be located in the meadows of the Root. It will be about 50 yards from any foot traffic and requires full sun and a small windbreak. We may want to consider constructing a fence around it. We will also need to provide a close-by water source such as a bird bath with pebbles in it. The beauty of this specific hive design is that it include observation ports, which will allow us to see into the hive without opening it. This will create an enriching educational experience for all comfort levels.
What about allergies?
This request includes funding for an epi-pens, which will remain on the property. While we do not foresee any added risk to those with allergies to bees on the property, we want to prepare ourselves with due diligence. Friends with severe bee allergies should not be concerned about coming to the Root, but should not open the hive.
Does this create a burden to anyone living full-time at the Root?
The primary caretaking activities will occur on weekends: Bees prefer to be left alone. You can maintain a hive and only interact with it only a few times in a season, although you’ll lose a terrific amount of enjoyment. The colony feeds itself, cleans itself, and is generally self-sustaining. However, there may be instances where the colony starts to leave the hive, which will require intervention, such as adding a “Honey Super” to the hive itself.
Is there anything that we can’t do with a beehive?
The only limitation is to avoid pesticides.
Sounds like a great first year! Can we expand? Our first year will be focused on our one hive and learning best practices. Over time, we can expand the hives by purchasing more colonies through similar proposal requests. Our expenses will go down with scale. I anticipate that our production will remain small only due to the limited space on the property.
Thank you for considering the Bees! Please contact us through GoFundMe if you have any questions.
When Pilgrims thought about what they needed to bring with them on their voyage to North America, they decided that bees earned their seat.
Parker Allen, on behalf of The Root, requests funding to purchase a beehive and its associated materials for the purpose of pollinating every acre of our magnificent land. Friendly bees will hum in our background to invigorate the environment, bind us with a 3,000-year-old human tradition, and thrive within a habitat that protects and supports this truly noble insect. With bees, the property will grow.
Who Are We?
10.1 acres of Upstate New York have transformed from an empty lot of hardwoods in the Mohawk Valley to a thriving community that builds with passion. Our DIY reality has grown through many hands and offers an experience of four tree houses, woodland zip lines, native flora, observatories, new friends, old friends, gardens, barns, wrap-around libraries, and much more. The Root Community is inclusive, creative, and absolutely ambitious.
Here's the Timeline:
February – Fundraising.
March – Purchase hive and materials.
April – Assemble hive, paint hive, establish hive area and path.
May – Install bees.
June – Monitor colony.
July – Potential first honey harvest.*
August – Begin winter prep.
September – Potential second honey harvest.*
October - Prepare hive for winter.
November - March – Rest. Overwinter.
We'll need TWO things to make it happen.
FIRST: Preliminary Funding Request: $950
o All contribution levels encouraged
o Recommended contribution: $65.00
§ Scope:
· If 10x fund: $102.05 per person
· If 15x fund $68.03 per person
· If 20x fund: $51.02 per person
All funding that is received ABOVE the scope of the project will go into a Root “General Fund” that’s used to support our many projects and upkeep.
SECOND: Calling all Beekeepers!
This project will require some communal beekeeping. The trade is a fascinating one that relies on knowledge rather than sweat. While I will take responsibility for the hive, I also want to share how fascinating bees can be and would love your assistance.
For reference, the work load for taking care of a hive is about the same as caring for a saltwater fish that can clean and feed itself. If you’re interested in becoming a beekeeper, or simply beekeeping in general, I’d like to start a beekeeper “book club” so that we’re prepared and excited about this colony. Everyone is welcome to join anytime – you CAN do it!
If you’re interested, SIGN UP HERE.
What will we get from it?
After our first year, The Root will produce an anticipated annual revenue between $50 - $550+ per year (per hive) while significantly improving our environment. Other products from the hive include: Beeswax, propolis, and bee comb. See below FAQ for detail.
*Honey extraction typically comes after the first year.
How do we buy Bees?
We buy bees in February and they arrive on a Saturday in Mid-May.
What will my contribution support?
Pollination and the establishment of honey production on the property by facilitating the purchase of:
· 1 bee nucleolus (colony of bees)
· 1 peaked hive with observation ports
· 2 bee suits
· 2 hive tools
· 1 medium super
· 1 smoker
· 1 children's epi pen + 1 donated adult epi-pen
· 1 bee bath
· 50 glass jars
· “Crush and Strain” Buckets for Economy Honey Extraction
· Misc. Beekeeping Essentials

FAQ
Why do it?
Bees have declined rapidly over the past decade and the Root will become a supportive force within a broad movement to save a superorganism that provides $14 BILLION worth of value to U.S. crop production. Backyard beekeeping has become an imperative response to the industrialization of beekeeping and the general reduction of native flora across the U.S. We'll practice natural beekeeping which will provide a service towards preserving this threatened species.
What will WE get from it?
It’s best to jump into this with the mindset that a Bee’s true benefit is to the environment and property. Their pollinating effect is unrivaled and will begin to produce new life in our trees and blooming flowers, which will have a compounding effect on the ecological balance of our land. In short: Bees are steroids for our habitat.
The act of raising and learning about bees is an enjoyable endeavor. They are considered one of the most complex “superorganisms” in nature and force the beekeeper to connect with the season. We’ll have to consider when plants bloom, how much rain falls, and the season that we’re in. We’ll slow down our hectic schedules once we consider the bees.
But how could we ignore the honey? It’s a gooey nectar of the gods and will come about twice a season after our first year. Like the colony itself, honey is a complex flavor that matches its exact surroundings and time of year, similar to wine. When you taste our honey, you’ll taste our land.
With this, I have proposed that we sell portions of the honey in order to support the Root and establish revenue so that we can continue to build The Root.
Are honey bees dangerous?
A common misperception is that honey bees are aggressive and therefore dangerous. This is not true. For our normal interaction with the property, these bees will not nuisance us or require any change in our collective behavior, even during Limb Snapping. The public often perceives honey bees to be the same as yellow jackets, whose behaviors are radically different. While I advise that children are kept away from the physical hive itself (unless under supervision), an un-opened hive will not be of concern. You’ll likely be able to approach it and walk around the immediate area of the hive without equipment, although each colony has a distinct personality. If we have a hive that is more aggressive than preferred, it will be the beekeeper's duty to “requeen” and breed out aggressive behavior. Ideally, we want “puppy dog” bees.
However, it is our responsibility to account for the unforseen. This proposal includes funding for two children's epi-pens, which can be used for a child or combined for use on an adult. When we open the hive for inspection or honey extraction, non-protected people should remain about 25ft away from the hive. While beekeeping suits will be encouraged, many beekeepers prefer to work their hives by just wearing a veil -- bees are typically docile.
Where will we put the hive?
The hive will be located in the meadows of the Root. It will be about 50 yards from any foot traffic and requires full sun and a small windbreak. We may want to consider constructing a fence around it. We will also need to provide a close-by water source such as a bird bath with pebbles in it. The beauty of this specific hive design is that it include observation ports, which will allow us to see into the hive without opening it. This will create an enriching educational experience for all comfort levels.
What about allergies?
This request includes funding for an epi-pens, which will remain on the property. While we do not foresee any added risk to those with allergies to bees on the property, we want to prepare ourselves with due diligence. Friends with severe bee allergies should not be concerned about coming to the Root, but should not open the hive.
Does this create a burden to anyone living full-time at the Root?
The primary caretaking activities will occur on weekends: Bees prefer to be left alone. You can maintain a hive and only interact with it only a few times in a season, although you’ll lose a terrific amount of enjoyment. The colony feeds itself, cleans itself, and is generally self-sustaining. However, there may be instances where the colony starts to leave the hive, which will require intervention, such as adding a “Honey Super” to the hive itself.
Is there anything that we can’t do with a beehive?
The only limitation is to avoid pesticides.
Sounds like a great first year! Can we expand? Our first year will be focused on our one hive and learning best practices. Over time, we can expand the hives by purchasing more colonies through similar proposal requests. Our expenses will go down with scale. I anticipate that our production will remain small only due to the limited space on the property.
Thank you for considering the Bees! Please contact us through GoFundMe if you have any questions.
When Pilgrims thought about what they needed to bring with them on their voyage to North America, they decided that bees earned their seat.
Organizer
Parker Allen
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY