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A Dialog with Kim Flottum, Phase 2
Retired, Longtime Bee Tradition Mag Editor
Through: James E. Tew
Final Month
Bee Tradition readers, closing month, Kim informed us the tale of his early years as editor of this mag. Editor Jerry, the present supervisor of Bee Tradition, stopped the primary interview simply after Kim presented Charlie Gibbons, who was once the White Space beekeeper all over the Obama management years. This newsletter, A Dialog with Kim Flottum (Phase 2) selections up at that time…
Kim: When Michelle Obama mentioned she sought after a lawn out again, some of the folks that labored there mentioned, “When you’re going to have a lawn, you were given to have bees and I do know a beekeeper who works right here.”
They went and tapped on Charlie’s shoulder and mentioned, “We’d like a beehive for the White Space natural lawn.” The elected individuals who lived within the White Space had a canine and Charlie put the beehive the place you may be expecting it – at the floor. Each and every time the canine got here out, he would move sniff the doorway. I don’t know if the canine ever were given stung, however other people concept it was once almost definitely now not a good suggestion, so that they made an 8 foot tower to position the beehive on most sensible of via the natural lawn. When Charlie went to paintings bees, he needed to climb a stepladder, however that was once k.
I wasn’t the one person who were given invited there to paintings with the bees. Relatively a number of the industrial and trade beekeepers within the U.S. additionally were given to return and discuss with and glance and communicate. That labored neatly.
Then now not lengthy when I began, 3, 4, 5 years, I were given a piece of writing from a man in England, and it was once, How We Forestall Swarms in England. The thing was once very British, very, very British. I favored it. The tips was once fundamental, however the presentation and the way he used phrases wasn’t fundamental in any respect. I printed it and I were given to understand the writer. The writer’s identify was once Peter. You met Peter whilst you had been there.
Jim: I did. Peter Smith.
Kim: Then I were given invited to my first Nationwide Honey Display in London. I used to be the speaker. The best way the room was once arrange, the entire chairs within the again, empty house proper in entrance of the level, the level up above, and the speaker was once over right here at the proper, a display, same old lecture corridor. I used to be taking a look at it as a result of I used to be going to be subsequent. “The place’s the stairs? How steep are they? The place’s my communicate? The whole lot’s arrange.” Peter was once what? 9 toes tall?
Jim: Sure, he was once a tall guy.
Kim: This large, tall man (Peter Smith) comes over there and, in British English, he says, “How do you do?” I seemed up at him and he says, “You printed a piece of writing of mine, thanks very a lot.” Kathy and I were given to understand Peter. When the assembly was once over, he drove us round a bit of little bit of the a part of the city we had been in. Over time we were given invited to his position and to his assembly a number of occasions.
At that assembly, Peter presented me to Jeremy Burbidge who runs Northern Bee Books. Now, I had a global writer touch. He printed books and he printed a bee mag. We put our heads in combination and it seems we had been much more alike than now not – with regards to being a writer and what other people concept. We were given alongside in point of fact neatly. I were given to unfold Bee Tradition’s affect just about throughout England and that labored. He were given to unfold UK beekeeping around the U.S. and that labored neatly. I were given to head over there a number of occasions.
He lives method north in England, however he has a Summer season space as some distance south as you’ll be able to get and nonetheless be in England and now not have rainy toes. That’s how some distance south he lives. He lived lower than a pair miles from… who was once that monk in England?
Interviewer: Brother Adam?
Kim: Sure, Brother Adam – at Buckfast Abbey. That you must nearly see it (Buckfast Abbey) from his position. He was once a bit of bit west of there, but it surely was once that shut.
Anyway, coming again to the U.S., I nonetheless was once doing an even quantity of touring and talking. Virtually all of it is because no one else sought after it. I’m simply some of the to be had ones to do that, so I suppose I had not anything else to do.
Jim: You had been the president all over some darkish occasions within the Ohio State Beekeepers Affiliation with Africanized bees and predaceous mite introductions.
Kim: Thanks. I used to be. Africanized bees and mite introductions had been unhealthy.
Jim: It was once a hard time to be an officer in a bee workforce.
Kim: I had a just right enjoy with a reporter asking about Africanized bees. The primary Africanized bees within the U.S. had been nonetheless very new once I were given a choice from a reporter on the New York Instances about Africanized Killer Bees within the U.S. I had talked to this reporter prior to which is why she referred to as me as a result of I’m the one beekeeper she knew. We talked and I attempted to calm her down, and I believe I did a bit of bit. The tale that got here out wasn’t outright panic, but it surely was once, “Oh my God, are we going to die? Are we going to die?” form of factor.
Some time later, she had a tale within the New York Instances about Charlie Gibbons, the White Space’s beekeeper. Through the way in which, that is how I met Charlie. I mentioned, “I were given to get ahold of her (the New York Instances reporter).” I referred to as her up and she or he mentioned, “I will be able to’t let you know that it’s the president.” I mentioned, “You owe me a tale,” so, she gave me Charlie’s identify. That was once it, simply his identify. No cope with. No telephone quantity. I went to my subscription individual, and I mentioned, “Will we, via any probability, have a subscriber dwelling within the Washington, DC, Maryland space, named Charlie Gibbons?”
She seemed and she or he mentioned, “Sure, we do.” I mentioned, “Do we have now a telephone quantity?” My subscription individual responded, “Sure, we do.” I referred to as him up. He’d taken the day without work to visit the physician. I referred to as up and all of sudden I’m chatting with the president’s beekeeper. How cool is that? That’s how I met the White Space’s beekeeper who I mentioned previous.
Jim: You probably did that on account of the Bee Tradition subscription touch?
Kim: Sure.
Jim: The subscription cope with and contact quantity?
Kim: Sure. That were given me in numerous doorways through the years. That were given me in doorways for 2 causes. Folks had been fearful of what I’d say within the mag. I’m satisfied they didn’t know that I used to be extra scared than they had been. I’d by no means say anything else, and that process labored reasonably neatly.
Secondly, beekeeping occasions began to wind down, with regards to the business settling down over Africanized honey bees and Varroa mites. The warfare over the honey board eased however then adulterated honey become a outstanding nationwide challenge. To this present day, that adulterated honey problem hasn’t long past away in any respect. I’m satisfied I’m now not in the course of that honey warfare as a result of that’s now not going to leave.
I noticed an advert simply this week promoting honey for a buck in step with pound in a 50-gallon barrel. I wish to say it wasn’t U.S. honey. It was once overseas honey. That’s what U.S. honey manufacturers are up towards at the moment and that’s now not going to get any higher with inflation and the entire issues being what they’re going to be.
All issues thought to be, I were given out of this editor place at with reference to the appropriate time with regards to home issues, and with regards to global issues. Private issues? I by no means had any. A pair beekeepers, on occasion, would confront me with a subject matter, however by the point I wound down at Root, I had issues the place I sought after the mag to be. I had the body of workers and I had the assets. I’ve made numerous contacts through the years. Jim, I guess you I may just move get a bee author in twenty other nations lately to put in writing a piece of writing.
If there’s one thing occurring in Bulgaria, I do know the man and I will be able to say, I established the ones contacts, and that intended, when you wish to have to understand one thing, who have you learnt, then name Kim. That labored neatly and nonetheless works to a big stage.
Jim: You robotically had huge conferences in Medina that includes well known beekeeping government.
Kim: Smartly, sure, we generally had a just right crowd. We did an Ohio state assembly there and we had per 30 days conferences and we had two beeyards, and we had so much occurring within the Medina backyard as a result of John Root (the President of the Root Corporate then) supported it. John Root was once the closing beekeeping administrator on the Root Corporate. The whole lot that I did bees, he was once in the back of 100%. He would say, “Do you wish to have a bit of extra?”
Sure. We had numerous membership participants. They had been from now not simply Medina, they had been from Northeast Ohio, the entire nook of Ohio. One among them was once a man named Jeff Ott, who lived up within the Cleveland space or somewhere. He were given to understand me. We talked after which a bit of bit later he requested, do you wish to have any articles on anything else right here or possibly some other place? Beautiful quickly he was once writing robotically for me. He had an afternoon activity and a state of affairs the place he may just take every week off and move to Mexico and notice what was once occurring with the bees there. He went to Colorado. He went to Mexico. He did numerous touring that I couldn’t or didn’t need to do.
Then he were given a role in Colorado. When he moved there, he nonetheless wrote for me however that tapered off as a result of his activity were given busy. A pair years later, about 3 or 4 years in the past, he got here again to discuss with his circle of relatives who nonetheless lives right here. He got here into my administrative center, and he mentioned, “That is what I’m doing. How would you cherish to do a podcast?” I simply checked out him and I mentioned, “Smartly, what’s a podcast?” As a result of I had no thought. He took the time and the power and the assets and taught me the fundamentals of manufacturing a podcast. The podcasts are named Beekeeping Lately podcast and Honey Bee Obscura.
We figured it out between the 2 people. He knew most commonly the entire issues you’ll be able to’t see it, the microphones and the headsets and the wires. He knew the entire digital stuff, and what was once being recorded, easy methods to get it recorded and transcribed and on the net. He knew all of that. It helped that he’s a very good beekeeper. I knew the beekeepers. I wasn’t certain what a microphone was once once I began this venture. He were given me aware of that. Now, I’m succesful electronically. That’s about it. Succesful.
Jim: Sure. I believe you on that.
Kim: Between the 2 people put in combination, he knew how, and I knew who. This venture has been a good fortune. I noticed this development and rising. The mag was once doing wonderful. It was once time for me to retire from the Root Corporate.
On the time, I used to be over 70 and I wished to sit down down. I spent a yr on the lookout for any person to interchange me. I discovered 3 other people with whom I used to be at ease. They had been sharp, clever, articulate and nonconfrontational. None of them would have led to an issue. Jerry Hayes was once decided on. I didn’t even get the be offering out of my mouth prior to he mentioned, “Sure, I need it. When can I get started?” He’s the Bee Tradition editor now.
He simply stepped proper in. He got here in and spent a yr with me on the corporate. I used to be ready to turn him a couple of 3rd of what I do know. Taking a look again, I ignored such a lot stuff when telling him easy methods to get this activity executed. He’s had to be informed the onerous method, however now he’s in fee. Every now and then, I’ll be offering a piece of writing or a work of recommendation or one thing, however now he’s in fee.
Determine 3. An acknowledgment of Kim’s bee business successes.
Kim: So, I’m nonetheless concerned within the podcast, however I not shuttle to conferences. I haven’t been on an plane in 3 years, and that’s simply wonderful with me. In reality, I received’t even force to a gathering. I’ll do Zoom if other people need. I’ve were given almost definitely 200 talks at the pc in the back of me, and I pick out an issue. I’m just right to head most often.
Now I’m right here at house and I’m going thru this lung factor that’s inflicting me a number of issues. The clinical concept is that it’s going to leave. They’re going to mend it, and I’m going to be again to customary. I’m now not a having a bet guy, however right here I’m – having a bet.
Jim: [laughs] I’m certain you’re.
Kim: No different selection.
Jim: How previous a person are you, Kim?
Kim: 76. Time flies.
Jim: Smartly, that’s now not previous.
Kim: Ok? Why doesn’t it really feel that method?
Jim: Kim, you’ve given a just right evaluate, however you’ll be able to’t simply listing the entirety that took place. What number of years did you’re employed for the Root Corporate?
Kim: I began in 1986 and I surrender in 2020. That might be 34 years.
Jim: You probably did movies, you taught brief classes, you evolved a pollinator lawn. In reality, you had a dynamic pollinator lawn format. You even evolved a 2d mag.
Determine 2. Jim Tew and Kim Flottum shooting photos for a video consultation of the Kim & Jim beekeeping video collection.
Kim: Sure. You and I, all issues thought to be, had been to this point forward of the digital distribution of subject material on this business than anyone I will be able to call to mind. We did the Kim and Jim Display, and we did educational movies. The only factor you’ve executed that I haven’t executed is start up a YouTube channel. That’s the one factor I haven’t executed. We’ve executed the entirety else. We’ve written tales and we’ve written books. Kathy, my coworker, and spouse, went to a number of nationwide conferences doing the – what do you name it?
Jim: “Fb Reside.”
Kim: Fb Reside. Proper. We went to conferences and talked to the entire distributors and two years later, the distributors nonetheless got here up, after they’d see me and say, “Whilst you did that Fb video on the Federation assembly, other people nonetheless discuss that, so that you made a dash.” It was once as a result of I had just right other people round me that knew greater than I do and just right other people round me who sought after to lend a hand. We completed so much on this business that I say in moderation, possibly now one of the vital persons are starting to meet up with.
Jim: Sure. You don’t keep forward in case you don’t stay racing. Even so, after some time, the race has to finish.
Kim: What else did we do?
Jim: Smartly Kim, you and I had a automotive break on learn how to a bee assembly.
Kim: Sure. We did. Virtually a in point of fact unhealthy one.
Determine 5. Jim Tew and Kim Flottum at one of the, many bee conferences.
Jim: Sure. We had been going to an Ohio Farm Bureau Commodity assembly, as I recall and, at 65 mph, we were given broadsided, you and me. Kim, we ignored that assembly. (It was once now not our fault. Chuckles.)
Kim: We’ve had numerous calamities in combination, however I obviously understand that one.
Jim: There’s simply such a lot of issues. You’ve discussed Kathy a number of occasions. She’s been a very good coworker and a supportive spouse for a very long time for you. She will have to definitely be stated for your successes. She was once an integral a part of the evolution of Bee Tradition, too. You discussed previous that you simply began a 2d mag, Beekeeping, Your First 3 Years.
Kim: Sure, Kathy was once basic to the mag and to my occupation. That 2d mag lasted, I need to say, 5 or 6 years. It hit all over an financial downturn length that I had not anything to do with nor the business had anything else to do with. Sadly, it needed to be dropped. You probably have a duplicate hidden someplace, stay it as a result of there aren’t any further.
Jim: It was once an invaluable mag that was once stress-free to learn. Kim, you printed numerous books for the Root Corporate, and also you printed books that you simply authored.
Kim: Sure, I’ve. When you had informed me in 1965, I used to be going to post a guide – any guide, it’d take me 20 mins to stand up off the ground from giggling. I started to peer the worth of getting now not an enduring voice, however a voice that had nearly the entire details in a guide. No longer the entirety, as a result of the next day to come one thing’s going to modify, and subsequent week one thing else’s going to modify. Maximum of what’s in my guide was once true ten years in the past and 20 years in the past, and it’ll be true twenty years from now and that’s what I sought after to provide.
Probably the most occasions I used to be with Dr. Morse, (Dr. Roger Morse, Beekeeping Professor, Cornell College) he had a large administrative center with a large table. He sat on one aspect of the table and there was once a bookshelf in the back of him that went nearly to the ceiling. We had been sitting chatting and he grew to become round and mentioned, “You wish to have a brand new one, ABC.” The present version, on the time, was once like 11 years previous. It hadn’t been revised shortly.
John Root and his predecessors, his father and his father’s brother had a agenda the place they edited a couple of 3rd of ABC each 3 years. They picked the oldest stuff and changed it and left the remainder of it on my own. Smartly, I hadn’t been there 3 years but, so Roger mentioned, “Let’s do that.” Do what I requested? “Let’s rewrite this guide.” He did 75% of all of it new. I did possibly 20%. Then he pulled in numerous other people, and I pulled in some other people. Roger did so much, and we got here out with a brand new ABC, that was once successful and a part, however the duvet seemed identical to the previous ones.
A couple of years later, Shim (Dr. H. Shimanuki, USDA ARS bee scientist) got here to me and he mentioned, “Are you ever going to do that guide once more?” I mentioned, “No, you’re.” He mentioned, “I’ll be again in a month with a draft.” He was once just about on time getting it again to me. I seemed on the duvet and I mentioned, we’re by no means, ever going to position this conventional duvet on ABC once more. I had an image of a beekeeper, status out via a beehive. This new model was once to have that colour image, a glittery duvet. That’s the one one ever and almost definitely the one one that may ever have a colour duvet.
Jim: [laughs]
Kim: Dr. Keith Delaplane (bee scientist, the College of Georgia) oversaw the modifying of the present ABC, and he were given ABC the place I sought after it to be. He is a great scientist and a just right beekeeper. He has just right other people operating for him. He edited the ABC I sought after. I didn’t need a science textbook and I didn’t need a how-to-stop swarming guide. I added a number of stuff from folks that no one is aware of or knew then. I believe the closing version of ABC was once beautiful just right.
Jim: Proper, that closing guide was once a just right newsletter. It seemed just right.
Determine 4. The quilt of Kim’s widespread beekeeping textual content, The Yard Beekeeper 4th Version
Kim: Then some of the different books I wrote, was once Yard Beekeeper, modeled after a number of, however now not so much, like all books already in the market. Early this previous Summer season, I stopped the 5th version of Yard Beekeeper, that’ll be out in February 2024. Then, there was once some other one, The Honey Manual, and that simply interested by easy methods to get as a lot honey out of a bee as you’ll be able to. The closing one I did was once, Not unusual Sense Herbal Beekeeping, which was once taking the entirety that’s just right for the bee and eliminating the entirety that wasn’t just right for the bee. It grew to become out to be most commonly herbal, however now not relatively common sense beekeeping.
Jim: I don’t know. There should be one, however I don’t know who else has had five-issue updates of the similar beekeeping guide. You understand, a guide that wasn’t like ABC or the Hive and the Honey Bee. That’s spectacular, Kim.
Kim: Sure. Now, the Beekeeping Lately and Honey Bee Obscura podcast initiatives had been entertaining for me. We at this time have beneficiant sponsors for the productions and Jeff does an excellent activity modifying the audio and posting the segments on the net. I’m taking part in operating on them.
Jim: Kim, this overview has in reality been an academic procedure for me. There’s no sensible method to compress your entire a long time into a few easy mag articles, however we no doubt attempted. I’ve loved being attentive to your reviews. Thank you in your time and recollections.
Dr. James E. Tew
Emeritus School, Entomology
The Ohio State College
[email protected]
Co-Host, Honey Bee
Obscura Podcast
www.honeybeeobscura.com