The Brave Farmer, which offers bee removal and relocation services, is the brainchild and passion of owner Amanda Bravender — a professional licensed hair and makeup artist by trade — and her husband and co-owner, Joshua Bravender. The two began providing this in-demand niche service almost by accident.
“While I still actively work in hair and makeup, beekeeping started as a hobby that turned into something much bigger,” said Bravender. “It all began when a friend had bees in her home, and I helped her safely remove and relocate them. Word spread like wildfire after that.”
Bravender said when she realized that most bee removal services in her area were exterminating instead of rescuing, she knew she could do better. The couple launched their own venture, a bee farm and rescue operation called The Brave Farmer, in 2020 with the help of their five children.
“I wanted to offer a more compassionate and sustainable approach,” she said, “and now we rescue more often than not.”
The Brave Farmer has relocated well over 100 bee colonies.
“Eighty-five percent of our business is focused on removals and rescues. The remaining 15% comes from our honey and hive product sales, which continue to grow each season,” Bravender said.
Starting out, the Bravenders leaned on local agricultural courses and resources, as well as on-the-job training, to manage the ins and outs of beekeeping and relocating hives. It’s a process that Bravender noted takes time and effort to perfect.
“I did mentor under a local beekeeper for a short time, but honestly, most of what I’ve learned came from hands-on experience, online resources, and lots of trial and error,” she said. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that no two beekeepers do things the same. I also completed a yearlong USDA farmer training program in Alexandria — driving three hours every other week. It taught me not only better farming practices but also how to run a business, and I walked away with lifelong friends.”
In addition to bee relocation, The Brave Farmer provides a variety of services and projects including beekeeping consultations, local honey sales and cooking classes. A cookbook is in the works.
“We’re thrilled to have recently secured our first investor, which has opened new doors for expansion,” she said. “With the upcoming release of my cookbook and the continued growth of our brand, we’re projecting a 200% increase in overall revenue over the next year. Honey sales alone are expected to double within the next 18 months. We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead.”
Fees for bee relocation varies due to each unique situation.
“We’re a fully insured company, and bee removals are risky, time-consuming and often messy — especially when there’s a lot of honey involved,” she said. “We bring knowledge, safety and care to every job, and our fees reflect that.”
Part of the success of the company has been the increasing popularity of traditional pastimes via social media. Hobbies like beekeeping, bread baking and gardening have become wildly popular on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
“Social media has been a total game changer,” said Bravender. “I truly wouldn’t be where I am without it. It’s helped me reach people beyond my immediate community, tell my story and create a network of support that’s been so valuable to this journey.”
In addition to the spread of small farming and urban homestead practices, the importance of beekeeping and education around beehives has also never been more important from an ecological and agricultural perspective.
A March 2025 report from ABC news noted “record-breaking losses in 2025” in honeybee colonies across the United States, with scientists warning the impact could be felt in agricultural production. Washington State University entomologists announced that commercial honeybee colony losses are projected to reach between 60% and 70% in 2025.”
This makes the mission of The Brave Farmer all the more key at this moment for the Bravenders. The farm has become an educational resource for local organizations.
“I work closely with 4-H and local schools to teach kids about bees, sustainability and where their food comes from,” said Bravender. “I also host low-cost bread-making classes and plan to expand into other areas like canning, cheese-making and homesteading skills.”
For Bravender, the pivot from hair and makeup artist to bee rescuer, beekeeper and eco-educator, while on paper might seem odd, felt like a natural shift.
“Working in hair and makeup taught me the power of saying ‘yes,’” she said. “That mindset has shaped every part of my life. Saying yes has led to new opportunities, meaningful connections, and growth — both personally and professionally. The creativity, resilience and people skills I developed in that world carry over into everything I do now.”
The Brave Farmer has two locations, in Madisonville and Harvey, with a third in development.
“Harvey is our home base, where we handle processing, packaging, and local consultations,” explained Bravender. “It’s also where we focus on educational outreach with local schools, 4-H groups and the community. It sits just behind our family’s hardware store and remains the heart of our operation.
“Our investor’s 55-acre property is where most of our hives are housed. With plenty of room to grow, it’s our primary farm space and the future site of expanded honey production and agritourism programming.”
Currently, The Brave Farmer sells raw local honey, pesto and pre-orders for the cookbook, but more offerings are on the way.
“We’re expanding into beeswax candles, bee pollen, and more farm-crafted items soon,” she said. “We’re hoping to add bee pollen, beeswax candles, and more handmade goods in the coming year. Hopefully you’ll be seeing us in a grocery store near you sooner than later.”
The Brave Farmer
2010 Bravender Way // Madisonville
2020 Lapalco Blvd. // Harvey // 504-450-2610
thebravefarmer.com // @thebravefarmers
