The History of:
Rivas Bees
A Family-Owned Business Since 1978
Our Origins
Watsonville, CA 1978
Rivas Bees began in 1978 when Jose Ramon Rivas encouraged his son Anselmo to take up beekeeping.
At first, all the honey was shared with family and friends. By 1981, Anselmo convinced Jose to sell it for just $3 per three-pound jar.
In the 1990s, Anselmo managed a Watsonville apple orchard and saw the need for bees in pollination. Starting with 50 hives, he supported local growers—planting the roots of Rivas Bees’ pollination services.
Becoming a True Apiary
2005
Pollination
Origins
1990s
In 2005, we expanded into California almond pollination, transforming from a small family operation into a commercial apiary while still producing quality local honey
In 2008, Anselmo and Justina grew from 200 to 350 hives to help send their daughters to college; strengthening both the family and Rivas Bees for the future.
Recent Growth
2019
Since 2021, Rivas Bees has partnered with local breweries like Corralitos and Buena Vista to craft beers such as the annual “Summer Buzzin’” with raspberry honey. We also team up with Cafécto for their whipped honey cold brew and look forward to more local collaborations ahead!
Early Expansion
2008
By 2019, we grew to 500 hives. In 2023, Gerardo Rivas joined full-time after graduating college, bringing fresh energy and big goals. Today, with 600 hives, we carry our family legacy forward while preparing for future growth.
Branching
Out
2021 & Beyond
Thanks to the collective hard work of our family over three generations, Rivas Bees now sells at numerous local stores.
Each jar of honey represents decades of dedication, care, and a commitment to producing the highest-quality honey for our community.
"For me, the bees have always been part of life. Some of my earliest memories are simply being out with my dad in the hives, soaking in the sights and sounds of the apiary. One of my biggest childhood moments was helping build our honey extraction facility...handing out beers to the workers and “helping” my dad drill siding panels, often loosening more bolts than I tightened.
Of course, I’ll never forget my first bee sting at age four, right on my forehead. My mom said I looked like a “little monster,” but that didn’t scare me away from the bees."