About Cashmere Bees
From Railways to Ridge Lines: How It All Began
In 2019, we arrived in Seattle from Doha, Qatar, to lead the delivery of major light rail systems. We had no idea that within a year, a global pandemic would upend our lives—and redirect our path entirely. Seeking refuge from the city and a deeper connection to the land, we found ourselves drawn to the canyons of Central Washington.
That’s where we discovered our forever place: 31 acres of rugged, untamed beauty outside Cashmere. What started as a weekend escape quickly became a life-altering shift. Chickens came first. Then bees. And with them, a new purpose began to take shape.
Systems Thinking, Ecological Living: Our Vision for the Future
With a background in systems engineering and infrastructure delivery, we approach beekeeping like a living system—designed, monitored, and constantly evolving. Our apiary is more than a hobby. It’s a blueprint for ecological stewardship.
We now manage 24 colonies, using Kutik queens bred in New York for cold tolerance and hygienic behavior. We’ve built a resilient operation that supports local flora, strengthens pollinator populations, and reflects our belief that good systems serve both people and planet.
This is our forever place. And this is just the beginning.
Learning the Craft: From Bedroom Hives to Beekeeping Studies
We didn’t stumble into beekeeping—we studied it. Both of us attended the University of Montana’s Master Beekeeping Program, gaining a foundation in bee biology, seasonal management, and sustainable practices. But the real education came from the bees themselves.
Our first hive was wintered in a bedroom window to survive sub-zero canyon nights. We’ve battled Varroa, lost queens to mistimed treatments, and learned the hard way that overwintering in this climate demands more than good intentions. We’ve tested genetics, built insulated cabinets, and even monitored hives remotely from Saudi Arabia.
Every loss taught us something. Every season made us better.