Where in the farm should hives be placed????

[jmsk]

Where should hives be placed? :?
I have three possible places that I was considering placing hives,
1. A wooded area on the side of a hill about 100 yards away from water, 200 yards away from alfalfa fields and 1/2 mile away from apple orchards.
2. A slightly wooded area at the base of a small hill about 20 feet from alfalfa fields and 50 feet away from water.
3. A partially wooded area right in between two small cliffs about 15 feet from water and 300 Yards from alfalfa fields.
The field and the orchards are sprayed often. 
Can anyone tell me where the best place to place the hives is.

p.s. do bees gather any type of nectar from alfalfa. :?

[Michael Bush]

Put them where you can drive to them easily.  Put them where they won't interfere with people to any extent (meaning no traffic right in front of them).  If you can meet those criteria and put them in full sun, do.

The bees will adapt.  A super full of honey is not something to be carried any distance at all.  Equipment should be driven to the beeyard and supers should be driven away from the beeyard.

[pdmattox]

I like #3 if you can drive to it and they can get plenty of sunshine. The driving to being the most important factor in my opinion.  I like to place mine facing south in the winter. The alfalfa will give nector if it is not cut before it flowers.

[Mklangelo]

Where should hives be placed? :?
I have three possible places that I was considering placing hives,
1. A wooded area on the side of a hill about 100 yards away from water, 200 yards away from alfalfa fields and 1/2 mile away from apple orchards.
2. A slightly wooded area at the base of a small hill about 20 feet from alfalfa fields and 50 feet away from water.
3. A partially wooded area right in between two small cliffs about 15 feet from water and 300 Yards from alfalfa fields.
The field and the orchards are sprayed often. 
Can anyone tell me where the best place to place the hives is.

p.s. do bees gather any type of nectar from alfalfa. :?

I don't see a bad choice.  Some morning sun is always nice to get em' going.  If I had to pick one I liked less, it would be #2.  It's a bit close to the farmer's field.

[Michael Bush]

Obviously avoid any spray.

Yes, bees collect nectar from alfalfa.  They do much better if there are leaf cutter bees around to trigger the flowers so they don't hit the bees in the face.