This episode features Jenny Morgan of Jenny's Bees, a qualified master beekeeper who took up the hobby upon retirement. Jenny now manages 35 hives. The discussion centres on her journey into beekeeping, her extensive qualifications, the fascinating life of bees, and the challenges they face.

The conversation delves into the rigorous British Beekeeping Association (BBA) education programme that led to her Master Beekeeper status. Jenny explains key aspects of bee behaviour, including how foraging bees communicate the location of nectar sources.

Finally, the discussion touches on the vital topic of bee conservation and education, a main focus for Jenny, who is also the education officer for Reading Beekeepers. She encourages people interested in beekeeping to take a six-week introductory course to understand the cost, commitment, and legislation, noting that bees are regulated livestock. She concludes with a message on the main challenges facing bees—particularly wild bees. She urges the public to help by buying honey from local beekeepers and planting flowers that bloom throughout the year.

TIMECODES

00:00 Welcome to Jenny Morgan

00:37 How Jenny got into beekeeping

01:57 Jenny’s beekeeping qualifications & what the exams involve

04:34 Microscopy and how it helps bees and beekeepers

05:26 Why honey is different colours and what this means

07:21 How bees communicate and what they communicate

09:27 How Jenny sells her honey to help her bees

11.02 How much honey a hive can produce

11:32 How colony sizes change throughout the year (changes between winter and summer activities)

13:40 How Jenny educates different audiences: specialists and the general public

17:06 How you can help British bees

18:17 The challenges that bees are facing

22:19 How to care for bee colonies

23:10 Jenny’s plans going forwards

24:50 Jenny’s final thoughts

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Value of Niche Expertise and High-Level Qualification

Jenny's authority is built on achieving the highest level of expertise—the Master Beekeeper qualification. For local business owners, this highlights the marketing and trust value of deep specialisation and accreditation.

Strategic Marketing and Promoting Local Sourcing

Jenny's primary marketing strategy revolves around promoting her honey's "unique selling point" the fact that it is local and comes from bees foraging in the immediate locale.

The Power of Education as a Marketing and Recruitment Tool

Jenny uses education in multiple ways:

Community Engagement: Giving talks to the general public (schools, church groups, museums) creates brand awareness for Jenny's Bees and helps to educate the community.

Educating specialists: As the Education Officer for Reading Beekeepers, she encourages newcomers to enrol in a structured six-week introductory course. She is also on the exam board for the British Beekeeping Association.