Did you know that it's possible to raise not just honeybees, but also native bees? In this episode, you'll hear from Valerie Wampler, a full-time federal employee (I'm sending love to all of you out there!!) and full-time beekeeper. She cares for her hives, teaches classes on queen rearing, making nucs and splits, rendering beeswax and using it for bath & body products, and now...harvesting mason bees!

Hear from Valerie on the importance of giving back, being part of a supportive community, and advocating for all aspects of the environment, including our dear little pollinators. For more information on the classes she teaches through MSBA and beyond, you may email her at valwampler@yahoo.com.

What is nature therapy? In several episodes of this podcast, my guests and I talk about the mental health benefits of beekeeping. I may also have mentioned I was recently certified as a Nature Therapy Guide. This episode briefly explains nature therapy and how you can easily incorporate it. You don't even have to be the outdoorsy type. Your body and mind will thank you!

To learn more, reach out to me at www.AtticBeeLLC.com

The owners of Vintage Family Farms joined me to talk about their flower farm operation and the importance of allowing pollinators to thrive. Their approach to farming, agritourism, and "flowertainment" is intriguing AND admirable!

To learn more about Monica's work and the learning opportunities available, visit the Mission Beelieve website.

You may also want to check out the other organizations Monica mentioned:

Hives For Heroes

Heroes to Hives at Michigan State University Extension

Eastern Apicultural Society

As an instructor for beginning beekeepers and the manager of the Montgomery County Beekeepers Association teaching apiary, Maureen has knowledge and experience that will benefit anyone contemplating beekeeping, as well as those who have already gotten started.

Our conversation covers aspects of managing a teaching apiary, the wonderful diversity of the beekeeping community, and a little bit about native bees. She mentions a couple of organizations that MCBA has supported, including Mission Beelieve and the work of Sam Droege from USGS, both of which are worth learning more about.

Honey's Harvest Farm hosts a variety of workshops and retreats that nourish both body and spirit. Additionally, Anna and her team offer a wonderful variety of healthy, delicious, and beneficial products. Visit their website to learn more and to sign up for one of their upcoming programs.

I'm especially excited about the apitherapy workshop on February 8 and the functional energetic healing workshop on February 23! Maybe I'll see you there.

For more information on some of the topics Kim and I cover in this episode, click on the links below:

• Clean Bee Soapworks

• Books by Dr. Tom Seeley

• Nancy Grace Roman Telescope

• Beekeeping Year 2 and Beyond: Class starts January 13, 2025. Email Kim at kimnmike89@verizon.net

• EAS Master Beekeeper Program

• Cornell Beekeeping Program

• University of Montana Beekeeping Program

• University of Florida Beekeeping Program

• BUMBA: Bowie Upper Marlboro Beekeepers Association

• Anne Arundel Beekeepers Association

• DC Beekeepers Alliance

• James Webb Space Telescope (“JWST”)

• Snelgrove Boards

• MSBA (Maryland State Beekeepers Association)

In this brief episode, I share a few thoughts on Robin Wall Kimmerer's book, Braiding Sweetgrass, which I recently read and absolutely LOVED. As a professor of ecology and a woman with Native American heritage, Dr. Kimmerer shares her thoughts and research on many aspects of the natural world through those significant lenses.

One of the indigenous practices she shares in the book is the recitation of a Thanksgiving Address. This recitation isn't related to our American holiday, per se. Rather, it's a reminder of how connected we are to the natural world and how much we have to be thankful for it every single day. Hopefully, it also inspires us to take better care of all our natural wonders, including each other.

For this recording, I read a translation from the Mohawk version of this address, which I found on the National Museum of the American Indian website. I hope you enjoy it and take time to venture outdoors, reciting your own thanksgiving address.