In this edition of Beekeeper Stories, we’re excited to share the interesting story of another member of the PerfectBee Team, Marta! We’ve been so grateful to work with Marta through the last year or so and know that you’ll find the story of how she found her passion for honeybees and beekeeping just as interesting as we do 😊
Marta got into beekeeping sort of by accident, but it certainly ended up being a happy one! She started her beekeeping journey about 9 years ago in Simsbury, CT, but it wasn’t something she had originally planned on taking up, she was afraid of bees at first. When a friend asked her if his bees could use her land to take advantage of the garden and flowers nearby, she said “yes” and the rest is history… her fear became a lifelong interest and passion for bees and beekeeping!
Marta found that she really enjoyed learning about honeybees and beekeeping, especially the effect that bees have on the environment around them. Marta took her passion for learning and grew her hobby by becoming a certified Master Beekeeper (through Cornell University) and uses the knowledge she’s gained to mentor beekeepers, both locally and by helping us and our Colony members here at PerfectBee, too!
Marta currently has 9 beehives, 4 of which are stationary, established colonies. The other 5 are growing nucleus colonies. She hopes to streamline her apiary and get down to 5 colonies total, aiming for a more manageable and sustainable setup. A more manageable setup means less swarms to catch, after all!
Marta’s property and apiary setup is absolutely beautiful, her buzzing companions call two different spots home on her property:
The “Girl’s B&B” is her beautiful bee shed that houses AZ (Slovenian) beehives:
The “Meadow Girls Apiary” is her bee yard that currently has some Langstroth hive setups. (This year, she’ll be transitioning the Langstroth hive setups to a brand new style of beehive called “Keeper’s hives” to give her a fresh perspective, with less lifting required.)
Her hives are about 500 yards from the house, and yes, she keeps binoculars in every room to spy on the action (and keep a close eye out for bears!).
We asked Marta some questions about her fascinating journey so far to find out what parts of beekeeping caused her to end up falling so (unexpectedly) in love with this fascinating hobby.
Q: What are your main objectives and goals with beekeeping?
My main goal is to maintain healthy, thriving colonies, focusing on locally adapted bees with genetics that lead to strong mite resistance. I’m especially hopeful that my Russian bees will spread their resilient genetics in the area. Of course, I love the sweet reward of honey, especially collecting from different seasons to showcase the diverse flavors of local forage. Beyond honey, I enjoy turning propolis and wax into natural remedies—nature’s gifts from the hive. The only thing I don’t harvest is pollen—that’s strictly for my bees.
Q: What do you enjoy most about beekeeping?
What I enjoy most about beekeeping is being out in nature and connecting with my bees – I find it incredibly therapeutic and relaxing. Honestly, I think I’m addicted to the buzzing sounds, the hive’s sweet aroma, and those subtle vibrations… Every time I open a hive, it’s like an exciting scavenger hunt—full of mystery, challenges, and surprises. There’s never a dull moment – it keeps me motivated, inspired, and always learning. Additionally, helping new beekeepers take their first steps brings me a lot of joy. What starts as mentorship often blossoms into lasting friendships—proof that beekeeping brings people together as much as it does bees.
Q: What is your biggest concern or worry about your bees or beekeeping?
Over the past few years, my worries about bee health have eased a bit. I’ve spent a lot of time educating myself, refining my IPM practices, and seeing my colonies thrive through the seasons without losses. I no longer lose sleep over harsh winters, though the fear of bears breaking into my apiary is always there (I lost hives in the past due to bear attack, see damages below).
My biggest challenge now is having too many bees and colonies! Keeping my apiary at a manageable size is an ongoing struggle.
I do have concerns about valuable foraging sources in my area. With a ridge and dense woodlands limiting about two-thirds of my bees’ foraging range, I’ve worked hard to fill nectar and pollen gaps in my yard—especially during dearth periods. But, of course, some trees just don’t grow fast enough! 😊
On a bigger scale, I worry about the decline of pollinator health and habitat loss overall. The recent mass colony losses in commercial operations are alarming, making me wonder what new challenges might be coming our way…
Q: You mentioned that you use some uncommon hive types, what do you like about them compared to “Standard Langstroth” hives?
I’m entering my fifth year of keeping bees in AZ/Slovenian hives, and this spring, I’ll be converting my remaining Langstroth hives into Keeper’s Hives. As you might notice, there’s a common theme—less heavy lifting!
A few years ago, after suffering nerve damage in my neck, I worried that my beekeeping journey might come to an end. But then, a fellow beekeeper and friend suggested a road trip to New Hampshire to check out Slovenian hives—and that changed everything.
Within a couple of months (between August–October), I took on a massive project:
- Built a bee shed—which I jokingly named ‘Girls B&B’ (built in the driveway, then dismantled and assembled in one day in the apiary – bees were not too happy with us as a shed was built in the existing apiary)
- Converted 4 big hives and transferred over 120 frames from Langstroth to Slovenian AZ hybrid frames (same dimensions of foundation, but different construction)
- Moved bees from old hives to new hives – 2-3 feet away
- The transition happened during the dearth and robbing season, and right before winter bees’ production (not advisable)
- Successfully overwintered all colonies despite the stress of the transition
It was heroic work, but it paid off—my colonies thrived, and I was able to continue my beekeeping passion without the strain of heavy lifting!
I realized that the AZ/Slovenian designs benefits were more than the very important ease of lifting aspect (the heaviest thing you’ll lift is a frame full of honey). They also offer easier and less distracting inspections with fewer bee casualties – better setup for the colony (my bees are thriving in Slovenian hives – the size is right and easy to manage, thermodynamic is great), and I’ve noticed better honey production.
Over the past four years, I’ve become proficient in managing Slovenian hives, though I know the learning curve never truly ends. One of my major challenges was lack of guidance on converting Langstroth hives into Slovenian hives. I had to figure out everything myself, from frame conversion to hive management techniques.
Now, I’m getting closer to helping fill that gap for others locally and through PerfectBee’s Colony community, too. For beekeepers considering Slovenian hives, I’ve been through the trial-and-error process and can offer insights to make the switch smoother and more successful.
Q: What is or was your biggest surprise in beekeeping?
The biggest surprise for me has been how deeply beekeeping has impacted my emotional well-being—in the best possible way. Working with bees has been therapeutic, grounding, and incredibly rewarding. The rhythm of the hive, the buzzing sounds, and the scent of wax and propolis create a sense of calm and connection that I never expected. It’s not just about managing colonies; it’s about being present, in tune with nature, and constantly learning. Beekeeping has become more than a hobby—it’s a source of balance, reflection, and personal growth.
Q: Are you a member of a beekeeping club? If so, which one and what is the main benefit from your perspective?
Yes, I’m a member of the Connecticut Beekeepers Association (CBA). It’s a great space to connect with local beekeepers, swap experiences, and stay up to date with the latest beekeeping insights. I also take part in CBA’s mentorship program, guiding new beekeepers through their first season and helping them kickstart their beekeeping journey with confidence.
I am also a member of PerfectBee’s online Colony community and love helping members with their questions, too, during Cluster Events and on the Colony Forum. I’ve also enjoyed being able to collaborate with PerfectBee’s Nicole on various projects and in-depth articles.
Q: Do you share your beekeeping with anyone else (family, friend, etc.), aside from those in a beekeeping club?
Beekeeping may be a solo gig for me most days, but my spouse has my back by fully supporting me in my hobby… physically, emotionally, and financially. Beyond mentoring club-assigned beekeeping mentees, I also guide a few friends and fellow beekeepers on their buzzing journeys. I’ve even sparked the ‘beekeeping bug’ in some friends who are now hooked on this incredible hobby. In the fall of 2023, I became a certified Master Beekeeper through Cornell’s program, and my mission is to spread knowledge, support fellow beekeepers, and keep the beekeeping community thriving.
Q: What other fun things have you and your spouse done together within your beekeeping hobby?
Sure – Here’s a little bit about our “Beekeeping Love Language” and The “Romantic” Hive Road Trip!
I recently saw an Instagram post about how beekeepers express affection and love, and it made me laugh—because I totally relate! I tend to be practical, so for me, a “romantic getaway” might just involve a long road trip… to pick up new beehives! 🐝🚗💨
Twice now, I’ve planned what seemed like a fun exploring trip, only to casually surprise my spouse with a “quick stop” to load up some new hives. Let’s just say, it worked… both times!
- Trip #1: A long-haul adventure to Washington DC to bring home Slovenian hives.
- Trip #2: Was just this past weekend—another “getaway” to Pennsylvania, where we completely filled our Jeep with the new “Keeper’s Hives” but no bees… just a car packed to the brim with woodenware—because what’s more romantic than traveling hundreds of miles for beekeeping gear?
Let’s just say, my spouse is very patient and supportive but on high alert for future “surprise” trips that involve beekeeping 😆
