In the Apiary: Andy Olsen
Andy Olson is our newest CCBA Board Director this year, and he graciously accepted my invitation to answer interview questions this month.
How long have you been keeping bees?
I received my first two packages in the Spring of 2019.
Tell me what drew you to the idea of beekeeping?
Mostly to complement a pollinator garden I was planning. I suppose I was like most people and thought keeping bees was about putting a couple of hives in your garden and looking at them and collecting honey every so often. Fortunately for me and my bees, I had the idea of getting bees just before package season. There wasn’t enough time to get them, the equipment, and the know-how. I was forced to wait an entire year. After reading my first book (Backyard Beekeeping by Kim Flottum) it occurred to me it might be a bit of work. I decided it would be well worth the effort.
Describe the day you got your first package.
It was a rainy weekend but I found a break in the weather to introduce my bees. After studying for a year in the books and many field days at the CCCC, I forgot everything I learned. They stuck around anyway. As it turned out, they made so much honey that I was able to pull 4 frames surplus and enter it into the State Fair. It won first place!!
Do you name your queens and/or colonies?
I do not, but I do number them. I currently keep four colonies in the front yard and Nucs if I have them in the back. I number them 1-4 with 1 being closest to the house. I number them for my record keeping.
Tell me about your current hives, including hive style and apiary set-up.
I have four Langstroth style hives on an overbuilt single hive stand about 12” above ground. They are located in the Sunniest spot in my front yard. I call them passive Solar because they get afternoon shade in the Summer but all day sun in the Winter when they need more heat! I monitor them with Solution Bee hive scales and a pan tilt zoom camera so I can keep an eye on them when I’m away.
What is your favorite thing about keeping bees?
I’ve heard it said that keeping bees is a gateway drug to environmentalism. I believe in this wholeheartedly. The more I study and learn the more connected I feel with Nature. Spending time in my pollinator garden with my bees helps me stay grounded and let go of what isn’t important.How would you describe your beekeeping philosophy?
I strive to be a responsible keeper. My goal is to be able to recognize and prevent disease and/or pest loads.
Tell me your favorite beekeeping story.
Catching (and seeing) my bees swarm. I was pulling weeds in my garden and heard a roaring sound. I looked over and saw so many bees in front of my hives. I walked over with my mouth open in wonder and watched as they swirled around. After a while I got stung below the eye and it woke me up. I ran into the house and got my suit and told my son to do the same. We ran back out to watch and the bees congregated just a short distance away. My son Gabriel held the box while I swept them in. I went from 2 colonies to 3 just like that! I collected a swarm earlier in the year that left the next day but I had never seen the act of swarming until this day.
What was your experience with bees as a child?
I had absolutely no experience with bees. I hadn’t even gotten a sting until I was in my late 30’s.
Is there a beekeeper or mentor who has inspired you on your beekeeping journey?
I don’t have a specific mentor but learned so much hanging out at the CCCC hives. I listen to several podcasts as well. I very much enjoy going to meetings. I really like to soak in the knowledge and different personalities. I’ve very much looking forward to being able to meet in person again.
Any advice for a brand new beekeeper?
Yes! Read a few of the beginner books, visit the CCCC apiary, and attend at least a few meetings before getting your bees. If nothing else, you’ll know the amount of work you’ll need to put in to be successful.
Add anything you wish I’d asked but didn’t!
Maybe future goals? I’d like to one day build a website that would include a live feed of my bees, my garden, bird baths etc. with current stats like hive weight, temp, etc. Super nerdy I know and with kids I’ll never have the time but one can dream! I’d also like to build and fill a long Langstroth hive at some point in the future.
