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100% Pure Honey

• Produced here at Sac State
• 0.5lb of honey per glass jar
• Each jar is $12, plus tax

Purchase Hornet Honey

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How It Started

Sac State’s apiary program began in 2015 with Capital Public Radio. The Cap Radio Garden had 4 active bee hives that were maintained by local volunteers and radio station staff. These hives provided much-needed pollinators for the surrounding garden but also existed as a teaching tool regarding the importance of protecting pollinators and providing habits for them to thrive. In 2016, staff from the Office of Sustainability began assisting radio station staff with regular hive checks and honey extractions, and in 2017, added 4 hives of their own to the campus BAC Yard. Following the 2020 pandemic, the Office of Sustainability assumed all garden operations, including the 4-bee hives located in the garden. In 2024 the apiary program was expanded to include 15 bee hives, and Hornet Honey sales began to be offered digitally, through the Office of Sustainability website. Today the apiary program continues to be operated by the Office of Sustainability, however, students and staff from across the university regularly assist with honey extractions and hive checks.

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Bee Rescue

Have you ever spotted a swarm of bees on campus? Sac State Sustainability is trained to safely rescue wild bee swarms that show up unexpectedly. Each spring, bees may outgrow their hive or find it uninhabitable, prompting them to search for a new home. In the process, they sometimes settle in places that are inconvenient—or even hazardous—for people. You might notice a cluster of bees gathered on a soccer goal, tree branch, or building. 

If you see something like this on campus, give us a call at (916) 278-4212 to notify our office. Our team will step in to rescue the bees and relocate them to a safe hive at the CapRadio Garden or the BAC Yard, where they can thrive and produce Hornet Honey. Together, we can ensure the safety of both bees and our campus community!

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Honey Extractions

The Office of Sustainability partners with the Department of Nutrition, Food & Dietetics to set up an annual honey harvest from the campus beehives. It is an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to learn about the sweet benefits of pollinators. More than 500lbs of honey is harvested each year and bottled up to be sold to the community with all proceeds returning to support the apiculture program on campus.