Buzzing Your Way to Tax Savings: How Honey Bees Can Unlock Ag Exemptions for Texas Landowners
If you own 5 to 20 acres of land in Texas, you may be sitting on a hidden gold mine—reduced property taxes via agricultural valuation, simply by introducing honey bees to your land. That’s right! Beekeeping, either personally or through a service like Ten Box Bees Ag Services, could drastically lower your tax burden while supporting pollinators and eco-friendly practices.
What’s an Ag Exemption, and How Do Bees Qualify?
Under Texas Tax Code § 23.51, raising bees for pollination or honey production qualifies as “agricultural use”—so long as the land in question is between 5 and 20 acres.
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Land-use history: You must demonstrate at least 5 years of qualifying use within the last 7 years to qualify and begin seeing tax savings.
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Local rules apply: While state law sets the general framework, county appraisal districts (CADs) define specific hive counts and documentation required. Texas Beekeepers Associationbeepeaceful.comstephenscad.com
Many Texas counties require a minimum of six hives on the first five acres, with additional hives for additional acreage—for instance, Stephens County CAD applies one extra hive per 2.5 acres past the initial five. stephenscad.com
Why Beekeeping Works Better Than Cattle (Or Letting the Land Sit Idle)
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Low overhead, high impact: No fences, feed, or large animals to manage—bees are compact yet powerful agricultural products.
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Insurance and reliability: Through services like Ten Box Bees Ag Services, you get experienced hive management, documentation support, and peace of mind.
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Whopping savings: One property owner in Tarrant County slashed annual tax from ~$19,000 to just ~$300—saving over 98%.
How Ten Box Bees Ag Services Helps You Qualify and Save
Let Ten Box Bees Ag Services ease the process:
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Hive placement & care: We place and manage the required bee colonies on your land.
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Documentation assistance: We maintain records that satisfy appraisal district documentation—counties require proof of consistent use.
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Application support: We assist in filing your Ag valuation with your local CAD.
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Professional reliability: Trusted, insured, and registrar-qualified—you’ll enjoy the tax benefits without lifting a finger.
Find out more at Ten Box Bees Ag Services – Ag Exemption with Honey Bees in Texas.
What You Should Do Next
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Contact your County Appraisal District: Confirm hive count requirements and documentation methods—every county differs.
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Partner with Ten Box Bees Ag Services: Visit Ten Box Bees Ag Services – Ag Exemption with Honey Bees in Texas to learn how we simplify eligibility.
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Track your usage: Keep evidence—receipts, photos, service logs—for the required 5 of the last 7 years.
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File your application by April 30 (most counties enforce this deadline) to ensure timely consideration.
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Reap the benefits: Once approved, your land remains under agricultural valuation unless sold or usage changes significantly.
Summary: The Buzz-Worthy Advantages of Beekeeping for Ag Relief
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Substantial tax savings | Honey-bee ag valuation often slashes property tax by thousands of dollars. |
| Simple setup | Easier and less invasive than livestock; bees are low-maintenance. |
| Professional support | Ten Box Bees handles beekeeping and valuation paperwork for you. |
| Long-term value | Once active for 5 years, exemption typically continues annually unless land use changes. |
Final Thoughts
Beekeeping isn’t just good for the planet—it’s smart tax strategy. If you own 5 to 20 acres in Texas, honey bees could be your ticket to major annual savings. Partner with Ten Box Bees Ag Services to simplify the process, avoid hurdles, and get your land classified under the beneficial 1-d-1 open-space agricultural valuation.
Let us help your land buzz with purpose—and profits. Visit us now: Ten Box Bees Ag Services – Ag Exemption with Honey Bees in Texas.
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