Roots
Rick grew up on a dairy farm, then spent forty years in construction management, and those two worlds shaped how we work with bees today. Data, planning, and steady routines kept cows healthy, and productive so we apply the same thinking to every hive. We started as hobbyists wanting to help pollinators, then saw that careful records and clear goals could turn a small apiary into a strong, dependable commercial operation for Colorado and New Mexico beekeepers.
Philosophy
Honey matters, but the bees come first in every decision. We track individual hive performance, temperament, brood pattern, honey production, and mite loads, then adjust care so colonies stay strong instead of pushed. We use an integrated pest management strategy for mites. Treatments are organic when needed, and we work to reduce synthetic miticides by selecting for natural Varroa resistance. Our goal is simple: healthy, gentle bees that fit our local environment and support farms, backyards, and wild spaces without cutting corners on welfare.
Partnerships
At A to Zee's Apiary Services LLC we combine our own breeding program with proven genetics as authorized distributors for Olivarez Honey Bees. That gives customers access to Italian, Carniolan, Saskatraz, and Golden West lines, along with locally raised queens selected under Colorado conditions. Hive data guides which queens we keep multiplying, so each season builds on real performance. Serving on the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association board keeps us connected with local beekeepers, questions, and field results.
Rick Zavitz
Bee Caretaker
Rick brings decades of systematic management experience to beekeeping, drawn from both dairy farming and construction project leadership. He started keeping bees as a way to support struggling pollinator populations and discovered the work offered something his previous careers didn't—a calming connection to nature and the satisfaction of working directly with living systems. Now he applies selective breeding principles and rigorous data tracking to develop healthier, more resilient colonies across Colorado. As a board member of the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association (PCBA), Colorado's largest beekeeping club, he stays connected to the broader beekeeping community and the challenges facing local apiaries.
Karen Erdman
Co-owner and Office Manager
Karen works alongside Rick in managing A to Zee's Apiary Services, contributing to the daily operations and care of the colonies that make the business possible.