Bees Beyond Borders with Bo Sterk (S6, E41)

(#271) In this captivating episode, Jeff and Becky chat with Bo Sterk, the visionary founder of Bees Beyond Borders, an organization dedicated to uplifting communities through beekeeping in the Caribbean. This episode delves into Bo's three decades of beekeeping experience, highlighting his profound impact on economically challenged regions by using beekeeping as a tool for sustainable income. Bo shares his journey from his first mission trip to Barbados to his current endeavors, providing invaluable insights into the challenges and rewards of international beekeeping education and development. Listeners will be treated to fascinating stories from Bo's extensive work in the Caribbean, where each island presents unique beekeeping challenges, from the arrival of bees to the introduction of varroa mites. Bo's innovative solutions, including the development of a beekeeping guidebook and education on hive construction from local materials, showcase his commitment to practical, sustainable beekeeping practices. His efforts in Haiti, where he taught communities to build and manage log hives, illustrate the transformative power of beekeeping in improving livelihoods. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a journey through the complexities and joys of beekeeping across different cultures and landscapes. Whether you're a seasoned beekeeper or just starting, Bo's stories of resilience, innovation, and the global beekeeping community will inspire you to see the bee world in a new light. Join us for an episode that celebrates the global impact of bees and the people who dedicate their lives to their care and conservation. Links and websites mentioned in this episode: Bees Beyond Borders: https://beesbeyondborders.com Bo Sterk on Bee Culture: https://www.beeculture.com/bo-sterk/  Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com   ______________   Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!  Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper. Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about heir line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [email protected] Thank you for listening!  Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC Copyright © 2024 by Growing Planet Media, LLC