Chicago Honey Co-op
Chicago, United States · Operator: Chicago Honey Co-op (cooperative)
Overview
A West-Side Chicago urban-beekeeping cooperative founded by three urban beekeepers in 2004. Originally aimed at job training in an area with scarce employment, it now runs more than 50 hives across the city with a focus on education, health, and awareness of urban nature.
Citizen participation
Offers beekeeping training and creates job-training opportunities in a part of the city where barriers to employment are high. With an emphasis on education, healthy eating, and awareness of the urban natural environment, it provides ways for residents to take part in urban beekeeping.
Operating model
Run as a cooperative. Supported by sales of honey and beeswax products (e.g. at farmers markets), beekeeping classes, and employment and job-training programs.
Impact
Produces high-quality honey from the city's diverse flora while offering job training and employment to people facing barriers to work, including the formerly incarcerated. Through education and local environmental awareness it is a pioneering model linking urban beekeeping with social inclusion.
Crops
- honey
- beeswax products
Scale
Over 50 beehives across city neighborhoods, including apiaries on green rooftops (e.g. Christy Webber Landscaping) and at urban farm sites such as Patchwork Farms and Back of the Yards
Sources（2）
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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