How would I, in Alabama, maintain a hive within a 100 acre area. That 100 acres has about 20 fruit trees, a 1 acrea vegtable garden and a 60 by 40 foot flower garden and the rest is trees, swamp and meadows.
http://www.uoguelph.ca/mediarel/2005/07/bees_abuzz_for.html
This link shows what some people are doing.
As to how to maintain a hive in the swamp I am sure your local agricultural extension office could give good advice. I really have no good idea how to do that. Note there is a difference between keeping a hive healthy and pushing it to far. The consequence of pushing to hard is no bees.