Honeybees have received a significant amount of media attention in recent years, often focusing on their decline and the potential negative impact on agriculture. While this has raised awareness about the importance of pollinators, some argue that the media exaggerates the crisis and creates a sense of "bee-pocalypse" that isn't entirely correct.

Gary Rankin, a San Antonio native wildlife artist, has always been an avid nature lover and conservationist and a bit of an entrepreneur. He is also a full-time beekeeper and founder of The Bee Place.

In 2014, starting with two small honeybee hives, primarily as pollinators for his own garden, Gary now manages over 2,000 colonies, teaches beekeeping classes each Spring and Fall for about 300 participants annually and sends semi-truckloads of bees across the country for crop pollination and honey production.

Recognizing the need for honeybees, supplies, and education on a local level, The Bee Place offers a full line of supplies and services, including affordable basic beekeeping classes in the greater San Antonio area. With over ten years of hands- on experience with bees coupled with intense studying and genuine passion, Gary has developed an understanding of what can be done to ensure the future of honeybees in our communities.