BUILT FROM THE HIVE UP What started as a curiosity about honeybees has quickly grown into a thriving business that’s shipping handcrafted beekeeping supplies across the country, all from a workshop in rural Coyle. Just a year after Dustin and Alicia Cantrell, Central Rural Electric Cooperative members, began keeping bees, they launched Triple Oak Acres Bee Supply. Since opening in January 2025, the business has found customers in 33 states, from California to New York, while continuing to serve a growing number of local beekeepers. “I had been keeping bees and noticed there was a need for quality woodenware,” said Dustin Cantrell, owner of Triple Oak Acres Bee Supply. “Not long after, we expanded into our current operations.” Inside the Triple Oak Acres shop, nearly every box, frame and wooden accessory is carefully crafted by hand.
“I found there was a void in the market for quality products at an affordable price,” he said.
During the busiest months, roughly March through July, the days are long.
That commitment to craftsmanship has become the foundation of the business. One of Triple Oak Acres’ most sought-after products is its wax-dipped woodenware, something Dustin says no other Oklahoma supplier currently manufactures.
When fall and winter arrive, the focus shifts from bees to building inventory for the busy spring season.
The process involves submerging wooden hive components in 300-degree wax, which removes moisture while the wax penetrates the wood to preserve it. The result is equipment that can last up to 20 years, roughly twice the lifespan of untreated woodenware. “I focus on precise, good craftsmanship,” Cantrell said. Dustin’s interest in beekeeping started with a desire to learn something new. “I’m someone who puts a lot of value in teaching myself how to do something,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in beekeeping.” Today, Dustin manages 30 hives while also running the woodworking operation.
Dustin and Alicia Cantrell
For Dustin, beekeeping is about far more than producing honey. “One-third of every food we eat is pollinated by bees,” he said. “Foods like almonds wouldn’t exist without bees.” This year has been especially challenging because of early drought conditions that limited flowering plants and nectar sources. When nature doesn’t provide enough forage, Dustin supplements his colonies with feed to keep them healthy. He also enjoys developing products that help fellow beekeepers succeed. SEE “FROM THE HIVE UP” PAGE 4
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