About Us

Who We Are

Redtide Farms & Apiary is a homestead, small farm, and apiary located in central Alabama. For years, we have raised much of our own food and worked to be as self-sufficient as possible. During that time, James kept bees for several years and learned firsthand that beekeeping is rewarding, challenging, and expensive. If you have ever kept bees, you will probably relate to our saying that “that $12 jar of honey cost the beekeeper $20 to make.”

In 2025, what had been as a homestead and hobby for years, officially became a licensed farm, Redtide Farms & Apiary, LLC. While James handles most of the farming and beekeeping, as well as all the business stuff, it would not work without Heidi’s support and assistance behind the scenes.

James’s passion for bees is more what some might call an obsession and addiction. They are among God’s most fascinating creatures. He is an Alabama Master Beekeeper and attends multiple conferences each year, along with pursuing many other avenues for continued learning. He produces queens, raises bees, and makes a wide range of hive products, including honey. He also serves on the board of the Alabama Beekeepers Association and is president of the Central Alabama Beekeepers Association.

How We Got Our Name

For several years, James and the boys coon hunted, and we owned, raised, and trained coon dogs. Our very first coon dog was a “so-so” redbone named Red, who was gifted to us by Neil Myers. While it is true that you often get what you pay for, Red was a good companion and could actually tree a coon.

When we asked friends and family to help us come up with a name for our kennel, it was suggested that we include Red in honor of our first coon dog. Tide was added as a reference to being from Alabama, even though we were living in Louisiana at the time. That is how RedTide Dawgs came to be.

When we later moved into homesteading and hobby farming, we kept the Redtide name. Now that we are an officially licensed and heavily taxed farm and apiary, the proper name is Redtide Farms & Apiary, LLC.

What We Do

At Redtide Farms & Apiary, we focus on raising and producing food and farm products as close to nature as possible. We believe in simple, responsible practices and avoid pesticides, unnecessary additives, and shortcuts. Our honey is always raw and local, with nothing added and nothing taken away.

Beekeeping remains at the heart of our operation, but the farm extends well beyond the apiary. We grow garden products seasonally and raise pigs and poultry, including turkeys, ducks, and chickens. Each part of the farm supports the others and helps us steward the land well.

We also raise worms, because even the smallest parts of a farm have value. From beeswax candles and creamed honey to soaps and other common farm and hive products, we work to use what we produce in thoughtful ways. Along the way, we enjoy experimenting and occasionally offering a few creative surprises that grow out of curiosity and farm life.

Cottage food products are currently in the works as we continue to expand carefully and responsibly. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to raise good food, care for our animals and bees, and share quality products with our community.