Legend Richard Adee

Beekeeper & Motivator | 2014 INDUCTEE

Richard Adee was born in 1939 in Arnold, Nebraska and became a big name in the beekeeping world. He learned about bees from his family and started his own beekeeping business with his brother Stanley in Bruce, South Dakota. Together, they moved their bees to different states to make honey and help plants grow by pollinating them. 

Sadly, Stanley passed away in a truck accident, but Richard kept going, honoring his brother's memory. He married Alice, his high school girlfriend, and together they grew the family business, Adee Honey Farms, making it one of the biggest bee operations in the United States. The bee farm still includes over 80,000 beehives and they help pollinate almond and apple trees, which is very important for farmers. 

Richard wanted to help beekeepers throughout the United States keep their bees healthy, so he worked with lawmakers in Washington, DC, scientists and companies to find ways to protect bees from diseases. Richard also cared a lot about his community and church, helping others and being a leader. With his family by his side, including three kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Richard Adee showed that hard work, dedication, and love can make a big difference. 

The Bee Industry Has Faced Many Challenges  ​
RICHARD ADEE WANTED TO FIND SOLUTIONS!

What did Richard do to help?

1. Shared problems with lawmakers in Washington, DC.

2. Fought for funding for bee research at U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) labs and universities.

3. Worked closely with state and federal officials as well as chemical companies to get emergency approval for new treatments to protect honeybee colonies, giving beekeepers across the country a fighting chance to keep the bees alive. 

4. Helped found the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA). As the AHPA's Legislative Chairman, he worked tirelessly to promote industry issues to lawmakers in Washington. 

Richard Also …

• Served on the Executive Board of the American Beekeeping Federation, The South Dakota Beekeepers Advisory Board, Senator Pressler's Agriculture Advisory Board, and The USDA Crop Production Review Board.

• Traveled to Mexico on behalf of the U.S. Government to assess and offer his advice on control of the Africanized Honeybee.

• Participated in a People-to-People trip to China where he learned about the beekeeping and harvesting practices there and shared American practices.

• Served on the National Honey Board and oversaw marketing campaigns designed to raise honey consumption and increase sales, traveling abroad to open new markets and raise international interest in American honey.

Caring About the Community

Richard made a tremendous impact in his community since moving to Bruce in 1957.

• Played on sports teams

• Sponsored school and community teams

• Donated land for a park

• Donated significant funds to provide a First Responders vehicle

• Served many years as a:

  • High School Sunday School Teacher

  • Youth Group Leader

  • Church Board Member

  • Chairman of the Building Finance Committee for the Brookings Wesleyan Church expansion

• Served on the local School Board for fifteen years, holding a variety of positions including President

Richard Was Presented With Many Awards!

Reflection:

• What do you think about when you look at the pictures of Richard in this presentation?

• What have you learned about beekeeping?

• Richard Adee built the largest bee operation in the world! What leadership skills do you think he used in his business?

• Richard spent a great deal of time working with lawmakers and chemical companies throughout his career. Why was this important to him?

• Think about all the ways Richard showed his love for the community of Bruce. What does this say about Richard?

• How might Richard’s story inspire you?