Beekeeping boy in Santa Rosa fights back after being ordered to get rid of hives

Image: CBS\

The City of Santa Rosa found itself in the middle of a public firestorm after ordering a 9-year-old boy to dismantle his 4-H beekeeping project — a decision that quickly sparked outrage from residents and the wider beekeeping community. Now, officials appear to be rethinking their stance.

When Nicholas Bard started raising bees in his backyard as part of a 4-H learning project, he never imagined it would lead to such a buzz — both literally and politically.

“It’s been incredible,” Nicholas said. “Probably the best decision I’ve ever made.”

With guidance from his parents, Zachary and Sara, Nicholas has become a small-scale expert in the world of honeybees. He explains that bees are generally calm creatures unless their hive is disturbed, and that they rely on “guard bees” to protect their colony. His parents often join in the work — and the wonder.

“We’ve all fallen in love with them,” said Zachary. “But these are definitely his bees.”

“We’ll sit out here and just watch them work,” added Sara, laughing. “Sometimes it’s better than TV — peaceful, relaxing, and fascinating.”

Despite bees’ crucial role in pollination and food production — helping grow about 75% of America’s crops — Santa Rosa’s municipal code classifies honeybees as “property nuisances.” The Bards learned that the hard way after a neighbor complaint led to a city letter in March demanding that Nicholas remove his hive. The notice even warned that a warrant could be issued to inspect their property if they failed to comply.

“How did it feel, girls?” Nicholas asked his bees after reading the letter. “Horrible,” he said, answering for them. “It was like one of your family members was being bullied.”

The family appealed the decision, but the city initially refused to budge.

“I think they figured they’d enforce it and we’d just give up,” said Zachary Bard. “But when we looked back 30 years, we found the code had never been enforced. This was the first time.”

That’s when the local beekeeping community stepped in, led by longtime mentor Ettamarie Peterson, affectionately known as “Sonoma’s Queen Bee.”

“Santa Rosa has to fix this,” Peterson said, noting that more than 100 beehives already exist within city limits — many of them quietly maintained for years. “I told them, ‘This boy is nine years old. This isn’t a business; it’s a learning experience.’”

Public pressure mounted quickly. The city received over 100 messages supporting Nicholas and calling for a change in the law.

“We decided to take a better path forward,” said Santa Rosa Public Information Officer Misti Wood. “Our staff is now working with local beekeepers to draft a zoning amendment that would allow limited beekeeping in city limits.”

That proposal is expected to reach the City Council next year. Until then, Nicholas and his bees are safe — and still hard at work.

Nicholas, who proudly noted he’s never been stung, couldn’t help but smile at the outcome.
“I just want to thank whoever complained,” he said, with a touch of sarcasm. “I’ve learned so much about politics and how cities work.”

When asked which runs more smoothly — City Hall or his hive — Nicholas didn’t hesitate.
“The beehive,” he said. “They don’t waste anything, they don’t bully anybody, and they all work together. I wish people did the same.”