Why are well known US beekeepers not on this forum?

[max2]

Why are so few well known and obviously very knowledgeable and often entertaining US beekeepers not on this forum?

I'm thinking of people like: Charles Linder, Peter Borst, Zac Lamas, Randy Oliver!!, Dewey Caron, Jeremy Barnes, Eugene Makovec...?

Have I missed them?

Randy Oliver has been doing excellent research which occasionally is mentioned on this forum?

What keeps them away?

[The15thMember]

I guess you'd have to ask them. 

[Kathyp]

A lot of our very experienced beekeepers ended up on the beemaster facebook page and also doing their own pages and youtube videos.  The forum is kind of old school. 

Here's one example.  I have known JP for years and we have met several times.  He found other media to be more to his liking after years on here.

https://www.youtube.com/@JPthebeeman

I have known Yappy for years and we have spent time together.  Same as above.  He moved on to videos and Facebook.

https://www.youtube.com/@YappyBeeman

Here is the beemaster companion facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/55633188198

[Acebird]

They are too busy and spend their time on a forum that supports commercial endeavors.

[BeeMaster2]

Max,
Good question.
I think Ace is correct for some of them.
Any chance you could send them an invite to join BeeMaster?
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Current 'poplar' beekeepers are very busy doing their own thing 'Youtubing', 'Facebooking', traveling, lecturing, etc which no doubt takes much of their 'extra' time.  Kathy mentioned JP and Yappie for instance. As someone pointed out a couple years ago, JP once a top poster here, (and still in the top 10 all time posters), is now a facebook and youtube star and very poplar there. 
For 'poplar' beekeepers, including those who make a part of their 'income' with bees in one form or another, ;it all goes back to exposure I am thinking.  (As Ace pointed out Commercial); These big name Beekeepers would undoubtedly seek the most popular avenues of exposure for their time spent.
A forum that is not commercialized is not that avenue. This fact alone is reason we are blessed to have Michael Bush. Mr Bush, a long time member here at Beemaster and has been a 'faithful' member here even before the other poplar avenues of exposure were 'so poplar'. Isn't Mr Bush as big a name as it gets in Beekeeping? In my opinion he is. Michael has lectured here in America and abroad in other countries,  and has an all around understanding of honey bees. Even so he has been faithful in remaining an avid part of 'Beemasters' Beekeeping discussions...  Lucky us!!!! And Thank you Michael Bush!!!

Phillip

[animal]

To piggyback off of what Ben just said .. Thank you Michael Bush .... And thanks for your website linked in your signature line. Lots of great NO-BS info there.

[Acebird]

I don't know for a fact but I think Mike makes most of his living off from lecturing, book publishing, and teaching.  And he is or was on both forums even though he is not treated as well on the commercial site.  Commercial beekeepers are strongly opinionated and do not like opposing views.  Even though some of their methods are different.

[Ben Framed]

[/quote]

I don't know for a fact but I think Mike makes most of his living off from lecturing, book publishing, and teaching.  And he is or was on both forums even though he is not treated as well on the commercial site.  Commercial beekeepers are strongly opinionated and do not like opposing views.  Even though some of their methods are different.

Good point Brian. That is a quality I personally and especially appreciate in Mr Bush. His tolerating my questions that some superior thinking high caliber beekeeping upper classman or woman, might take as challenging while Michael seems to appreciate questions as questions lead to learning and understanding.

[Acebird]

Hey if it wasn't for Mike I would have never made it past the first year of keeping bees.  I couldn't appreciate his beekeeping knowledge more.

[Ben Framed]

https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=56818.msg520994#msg520994

Here is some really good stuff here by Robo. Rob is quiet the Beekeeper and also inventor of 'The world famous' "Robo Bee Vac".. Rob is an active member here at Beemaster as well as part of the Administrative Team, Rob is also the guy in 'IT' that 'keeps' Beemaster Forums functioning! Rob is a "very important" part of Beemaster and VERY appreciated!!

Phillip


https://gab.com/bushkill_/posts/109915403463915044


bushkill ✝️
@bushkill_
Feb 23
?
?
Beekeeping
"Here is a presentation, "Critical Thinking Beekeeping" I did for Wake County Beekeepers Association in November.
@Peoplesbecrazy I give an overview of OTS queen rearing too."

[Ben Framed]

"TheHoneyPump" is a Neighboring North American Canadian Beekeeper who is a member here at Beemaster. Mr Claude P. is from a 7th generation beekeeping family whose family produces 'tons' of honey each year as well as 'thousands' of pounds of wax. It is imperative for such beekeepers with so much invested, to be on top of all the latest research and information available for the benefit of bees, as their livelihood depends upon it. 
The following publication, originally produced in response to "The15thMembers" varroa problem,  was re-posted by Robo, one of "TheHoneyPumps" detailed writings.

This will be a tremendous help to our Australian friends who study it. Thanks again Mr. HoneyPump for all you have done and do for beekeepers here at "Beemaster"!!

https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=54623.msg497375#msg497375

[Ben Framed]

Why are so few well known and obviously very knowledgeable and often entertaining US beekeepers not on this forum?

I'm thinking of people like: Charles Linder, Peter Borst, Zac Lamas, Randy Oliver!!, Dewey Caron, Jeremy Barnes, Eugene Makovec...?

Have I missed them?

Randy Oliver has been doing excellent research which occasionally is mentioned on this forum?

What keeps them away?

I do not wish to leave others out' but the above few post should give a pretty good idea of some "well known and obviously very knowledgeable" beekeepers here at Beemaster. Beemaster is a treasure trove of valuable beekeeping information as well highly and valued, knowledgeable Members..

As far as 'entertaining beekeepers': There are other Headings here at Beemaster set aside for your entertainment, such as: HUMOR IS A FUNNY THING; THE SPORTS BAR; OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FORUM and several more Headings. All posted by members of Beemaster and nearly, if not all, are by beekeepers...

I only recognized one of the beekeepers (Randy Oliver) that you listed above Max. But I agree with Beemaster2 "Any chance you could send them an invite to join BeeMaster?" The more the merrier and their presence will be 'more than welcome'..  :)

Thanks,

Phillip

[Michael Bush]

> Charles Linder, Peter Borst, Zac Lamas, Randy Oliver!!, Dewey Caron, Jeremy Barnes, Eugene Makovec

The biggest forum out there is Beesource and I have seen none of those on beesource.  None of the bee scientists I know of, like Dewey Caron, are on any of the forums.  A few of these used to be on the email list B-List.  Maybe it still exists.  I never participated as it was tightly moderated to the point no one could state their opinion or experience without references.

[William Bagwell]

> Charles Linder, Peter Borst, Zac Lamas, Randy Oliver!!, Dewey Caron, Jeremy Barnes, Eugene Makovec

The biggest forum out there is Beesource and I have seen none of those on beesource.  None of the bee scientists I know of, like Dewey Caron, are on any of the forums.  A few of these used to be on the email list B-List.  Maybe it still exists.  I never participated as it was tightly moderated to the point no one could state their opinion or experience without references.

Yes, Bee-L still exists and Peter Borst and Randy Oliver are regular posters there. Others listed may lurk, never looked for a complete list of subscribers. Probably not available... Peter Borst recently visited us 'next door', lasted three days and has not been back.

Glad there are many different forums, lists, etc with different flavors! Makes it interesting, well except Facebook If the Usenet group sci.agriculture.beekeeping was still active I would be there as well.

[Michael Bush]

That's it.  Bee-L.  I couldn't remember.  I have searched it occasionally for answers, but have never participated.

[max2]

Rather then guessing...I wrote to quite a few.
here are the responses so far:
" too much chaff on Beesource compared to useful grain  "..." Tried it..more politics then bees"..." how many of the regulars are beekeepers?"..."I don?t know, I just never have joined BeeSource"..."Time?..  its all I can do to get articles out and my duties for the ABF."..." One huge problem with Beesource is the fools.  I think Solomon Parker really caused it a lot of pain!"..." I had heard in the past that it had looser moderation than Bee-L"..." I do not participate in online forums largely because I simply do not have the time to be an active participant. I simply cannot dedicate the time required to be involved heavily. "..." I don?t participate or join anything unless I can be active 110%," 

[The15thMember]

Well, that just confirms what I have long suspected: Beesource is no good. 

[Terri Yaki]

Well, that just confirms what I have long suspected: Beesource is no good. 

Beesource is for lefties

[Ben Framed]

I personally have not participated on other bee forums. Therefore I have no opinion, (nor a dog in that hunt so to speak), when it comes to opinions of other forums..
I am pleased that John Clayton (The Original "Beemaster"), sought to offer something for every member here at Beemaster Forums, and not just bees alone, by wisely creating Headings which cover a wide variety of subjects and topics. "Everyone is welcome" regardless of their political persuasion, just as it should be. Politics "will not be allowed" to be brought into those topics and conversations just as the uncalled for post above, which I am leaving for an example of what not to do!!! We strive to keep politics out of every heading 'except' the set aside Topic: "The Coffeehouse", where even politics may be discussed as long as the bylaws are followed, and the subject of bees must bees left out as prescribed 'in' the Bylaws  lol...
I am just as pleased that Jim Altmiller "Beemaster2" has the same aspirations for Beemaster as well as same focus on the protection of family values here at 'Beemaster Forums' that John so wisely instilled here.
Beemaster is a place where every beekeeper is welcome as long as he or she is careful to follow our Bylaws which are simple, and should not be hard to conform too, nor comply with..

Phillip