Michael Jordan: Beekeeping Questions and Answers - S2E18
August 9th, 2017 · 51 mins 56 secs
About this Episode
I recently had Michael Jordan from A Bee Friendly Company on the Small Scale Life to discuss bees, beekeeping, small business and mead. Michael was kind enough to take beekeeping questions from the Small Scale Life audience and followers.
Who is Michael Jordan? Michael is a husband, father, teacher, bee whisperer and entrepreneur, and he is a MVP of beekeeping and award-winning mead maker. Find out more about Michael Jordan and how he got into mead and beekeeping in Small Scale Life Season 2, Episode 16.
Beekeeping Questions for Michael Jordan
[caption id="attachment_2092" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Bees hard at work in the yard in St. Louis Park, MN in June 2017[/caption]
The following beekeeping questions were asked from the Small Scale Life audience:
From Jay in Virginia: What are the basic requirements in terms of money and space for starting a small bee operation? The “small bee operation” is defined as enough to serve the purposes of your homestead. Honey, maybe some to sell, pollination to encourage growth of vegetables and flowers. EDIT: Some of this question is answered in Small Scale Life Season 2, Episode 16, but Michael talks about this question some more in this episode.
From Nikki in Wisconsin: Do you recommend for new beekeepers to have a mentor for the first year?
From Danielle in Minnesota: What is your preferred bear exclusion fencing system? Do you have a brand and volts recommendation? EDIT: Michael had some REALLY interesting ideas for this!
From Nikki in Wisconsin: I'm working in the school garden with elementary age kids. Can you give some resources for bee activities, worksheets or honey cooking that I can teach the kids. (I took a bee keeping class at the University of Minnesota, and I am working with a bee mentor that had about 12 hives up in northern Wisconsin. I love listening to MJ and he inspires me to be kind.) EDIT: See the link below for A Bee Friendly Company!
From John in Wisconsin: What's his advice for helping a spouse and a child overcome their fear of bees? I'd love to start, but I can't due to their fear.
From Captain Lumbersquatch Greg Burns in Ohio: What is MJ's favorite method for making splits?
From Dustin in Ohio: You posted a picture of red honeycomb in a recent post on Facebook. What made it red?
My question: You were recently out in Arizona, and you made a video about bees needing water. Can you tell the audience about that and give us some suggestions for providing water for bees?
My question: Some of the audience won’t become beekeepers, yet they are concerned about the bees and have gardens that need pollination. What are some tips for attracting bees to your yard and gardens?
Michael Jordan's Links
[caption id="attachment_1984" align="aligncenter" width="754"] Live a little; love a lot! Learn to make meads from the Bee Whisperer. I can't wait to share a drink with this guy at Hogtoberfest 2017[/caption]
Michael Jordan is a bee whisperer, mead-maker extraordinaire and a great teacher. If you want to learn more about beekeeping and mead-making, check out the following links:
Permaethos Class on Beekeeping
A Bee Friendly Company Facebook Page
The Undergound Meadery Facebook Page - Must be over 21 years old
Michael Jordan's YouTube Video
Small Scale Life Podcast - Michael Jordan's Beekeeping Journey - S2E16
The Survival Podcast Expert Panel - Fridays on The Survival Podcast with Jack Spirko
The Sample Hour Podcast - A special thank you to my friend Drew Sample for connecting me with Michael Jordan! Check out the Michael Jordan on The Sample Hour:
Episode 119 - The Bee Whisperer - Michael Jordan
Episode 125 - Hogtoberfest 2016
Episode 138 - Getting Started with Beekeeping - Michael Jordan
Episode 151 - Spring Beekeeping - Michael Jordan
Episode 152 - Spring Beekeeping Continued - Michael Jordan
Special thanks to Austin Quinn from Vlog Vibes for the closing music on the podcast. If you are looking for music for your video blog or podcast, check out Vlog Vibes on YouTube!
Friends of Small Scale Life
Small Scale Life Facebook Group – This group will get you a backstage pass and access to other members of the Small Scale Life Community. We will discuss gardening, healthy lifestyle, frugal living and having adventures along the way! This is also your chance to see what is coming up on Small Scale Life, see some content not shared on the blog, and ask questions of future guests. Join the Small Scale Life Facebook Community today!
Ways to Listen
We have several options for you to listen to the Small Scale Life Podcast. You may listen in the following locations:
iTunes
Stitcher
YouTube
Subscribe and Rate on iTunes
Please subscribe to the Small Scale Life iTunes Channel! If you are a subscriber to the Small Scale Life iTunes Channel, please provide a review for the podcast, consider giving a few stars (not going to lie: I want five stars) for the Podcast. I really appreciate you as a listener and your feedback.
To leave a review, simply follow these simple steps:
Click on this link or the image above.
Go to ratings and reviews.
Click on the number stars (five would be awesome)
Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)!
You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but appreciated)
You can also write a longer review, though it is not necessary. Again, thank you for listening, subscribing and leaving your review!