My connection with bees began in Southeast Idaho during the early 1980s, a far cry from today's beekeeping landscape. I fondly remember selling eight-ounce jars of honey door-to-door to neighbors for just $2.00 each – a simpler time for both life and tending hives. The landscape has since changed dramatically, with rising costs and new challenges, most notably the arrival and relentless spread of the Varroa destructor mite. This devastating pest, which emerged in the U.S. around 1987 and became pervasive in the 1990s, remains a constant concern for beekeepers.

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Life took a turn in 1988 when I entered boot camp, and the following year, I met my wife, Jody. We built our life together, and after my time in the Marine Corps, we returned to Idaho in 1997. I pursued a career in Aviation after graduating in Aircraft Maintenance Technology in 1999, a field I've been dedicated to ever since. Jody, graduating in 2003 with a degree in Electronics emphasizing LASER technology, had opportunities nationwide, but our love for this area kept us rooted here. We resided in Pocatello until 2020, when we made the move to American Falls, finally gaining the outdoor space to reignite my beekeeping passion and establish our own apiary.

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And so, Perkys Bee & Gardens was born in 2021, starting with just four beehives and a simple desire to share our honey's sweetness. What began as a small endeavor truly blossomed. By early 2024, after navigating processing and paperwork, we excitedly began offering not only our original honey but also a curated selection of honey varieties. The enthusiastic local response to their pure, delicious quality fueled our growth. Over the past year, we've been delighted to bring you an amazing global honey collection, hand-picking unique treasures like Guatemala's vanilla-hinted Coffee Blossom, Mexico's floral Wildflower, and the rare Hawaiian Kiawe, alongside exceptional U.S. varietals such as Lavender, Lemon, Northeast Blueberry, and Northwest Raspberry, to name a few. Listening to your requests, we've also thoughtfully added a fantastic hot honey and perfectly paired teas (available at markets and our Swan Lake location), alongside a wider range of other products including hanging crystals, signs, self care bath products and many more items.

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As a small, family-run operation (nurturing 14 hives with the ambition to reach 20 by year's end), we are also committed to supporting fellow small 'Mom & Pop' businesses whenever possible, sourcing our teas, select honeys, and creamed honey products from other passionate producers. We especially cherish connecting with you personally at craft shows and markets, sharing samples and the stories. We wholeheartedly believe in tasting before buying, so please come say 'Hi' and explore our offerings to find your perfect honey and perhaps even a delightful tea pairing. For those who can't decide, our honey sample packs showcase some of our best-selling varieties.

​Thank You for supporting a small local business.

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Dave & Jody Perkins 

Perkys Bee & Gardens