Olivedale Library gets the scoop on beekeeping

Kai Hitchert, a seasoned beekeeper and the founder of The Beekeepers Hub shared his passion and expertise with the Friends of Olivedale Library (Fools) during a captivating beekeeping presentation held at the Olivedale Library on April 17.

Hitchert, whose journey into beekeeping sprouted from a simple course, has bloomed into a remarkable career. “I have always wanted to be a farmer. One year I did a beekeeping course and that’s how one hive became two, became four, became 350, and became a whole new career for me.”

During the presentation, Hitchert stressed the vital role bees play in our ecosystem. “The most important thing that people need to understand is that bees have been here well before humans. They pollinate the majority of the plants, trees, and all our crops. So, if we get rid of the bees, we are going to start struggling to get our food on the table.”

Dispelling common misconceptions about bees, Hitchert addressed concerns about bee aggression. “Bees are not interested in humans at all. All they want to do is work and feed and get their food into the hive. Bees defend when people are messing with them. So if you leave the bees alone, they are not dangerous at all.”

He also busted the misconceptions surrounding beekeeping expenses and the pricing of honey. “People think that honey would be cheaper when you buy it directly from the beekeeper and that is not true. The amount of work that goes into producing top-quality raw honey is not cheap, so we cannot sell it for cheap.”

Reflecting on his interaction with the Fools community, Hitchert expressed gratitude for their engagement. “They asked a lot of good questions, and a lot of them have grandchildren whom they educate. The grandchildren then go and share it with their parents. And that’s what we need.”

In addition to education, Hitchert explained that there are vast opportunities within the bee industry. “Educating the community on bees is important. There are massive opportunities in the bee industry for jobs, and there are also other industries that will create employment through the bee industry. Other jobs will also grow like logistics, labelling, and the glass industry.”

With so many opportunities available within the industry, Hitchert encouraged the community to consider pursuing beekeeping. “Come and do a course and get involved. Start taking beekeeping as a hobby and join the bee association.”

Outside of the opportunities within the industry, Hitchert shed light on the challenges faced by beekeepers including theft, vandalism, forage scarcity, pesticides, and the lack of beekeepers. “Challenges beekeepers face: Theft, vandalism, forage, bee food, pesticides, lack of beekeepers, honey alteration,” he summarised.

As Hitchert continues to advocate for beekeeping and environmental stewardship, his visit to the Olivedale Library served as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for the community, fostering a deeper appreciation for the indispensable role of bees in our world.

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