Search our Hive!

Family owned & operated since 1997.

From our humble beginnings to welcoming visitors from around the world, discover how we came to bee & what makes us buzz. Our honest passion & love for bees, passed down from one generation to the next, guides our business today and into the future.

How the Buzz Began

The Summer of '69

Ed Finds His Calling

Our founder, Ed Nowek, began his beekeeping career at just 16 years old with a summer job at Rideau Honey in Hines Creek, Alberta. Though he remembers those first days lifting honey boxes as physically exhausting, along with a few too many bee stings, within weeks Ed fell in love with bees and began his lifelong journey to share their amazing story with the world.

The Summer of 1969
The Travelling Beekeeper

Mid 1970s

The Travelling Beekeeper

Ed took his passion for bees to foreign countries, immersing himself in unique beekeeping operations. Seasons were spent in the almond groves of California, where a healthy crop is entirely dependent on pollination by honey bees, as well as Queensland, Australia - where Ed says the Eucalyptus trees would drip nectar onto anything beneath their branches (including his farm truck!).

July 1997

Bee World Industries (later renamed to Planet Bee) is Born

Though he took a hiatus from full time beekeeping work during his late 20s and early 30s, Ed returned to the world of bees in a big way – founding his dream business ‘Bee World’ on his hobby farm in the summer of 1997. Ed’s entrepreneurial vision - to create a place where visitors could discover the amazing world of the honey bee - continues to guide our business more than 20 years later.

Bee World Industries is born
Planet Bee Moves to Vernon

2003

Planet Bee Moves to Vernon

With several years spent in the agricultural community of Armstrong, Ed moves the business to the larger tourist center of Vernon in early 2003, taking over a fruit stand on Bella Vista Road. With nearby Davison Orchards drawing visitors and locals alike to the area, Planet Bee enjoys welcoming a growing number of guests.

Mid 2000s

Family Business

Ed’s teenage children – who spent many a summer’s afternoon pouring honey for allowance cash as kids, now both take on summer roles at the Bella Vista Road storefront. Before long, Ed’s passion for bees begins to pass down to the next generation & the family business dynamic starts to take shape. Though both James & Olivia leave to pursue their University degrees, both will eventually bring new knowledge and experience back to the buzzing family farm.

Family Business
Grand Openeing of Honeymoon Meadery at Planet Bee

2010

Grand Opening of the Honeymoon Meadery

Building on the momentum of other product lines, Ed introduces the Okanagan’s first commercial Mead to the market. Early varieties included colossal cranberry, spring surrender and Okanagan delight (which is still offered to this day!)

2013

Educational Program Expands

Returning from University, James helps his Dad to enhance a thriving educational program, welcoming groups of local school children, senior’s homes and hobby clubs and inspiring them with the amazing story of honey bees.

Educational Program Expands
The More the Merrier

2018

The More the Merrier

After a year abroad in New Zealand, Olivia returns to the family business as Manager of Marketing and Sales, joining younger brother James who has been overseeing the education program and IT for several years. Bringing her experience in the Wine Industry and graduate degree in Tourism, Olivia begins a re-branding process to elevate the family business to new heights.

2019

Planet Bee becomes Vernon's First Biosphere Committed Entity

Our sustainability initiatives continue to build, with audits to keep us continually improving. We love being a part of the biosphere program, as it keeps our business working towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and connects us with like-minded businesses in our region.

Biosphere logo
Enhanced Outdoor Learning Opportunities

2021

Enhanced Bee-Friendly Learning Gardens Open

The addition of QR Codes to our on-site gardens allows visitors to customize their learning to whichever topics they choose! Experience working beehives up close, and watch as pollinators visit their favourite plants, collecting pollen & nectar.

Our Team