Meet sk*p’s Queen Beekeeper, Megan Denver

Bees are a super power in our vast ecosystem. They pollinate our food crops and those eaten by other wildlife and without them we may not exist. As the founder of Hudson Valley Bee Supply and the official Sk*p master beekeeper, Megan Denver understands just how important these little change agents are to our existence. Having started beekeeping in 2005, Megan and her team manage over 200 colonies in the Hudson Valley Area of New York, including the Sk*p bees that produce the honey used in our G-HoneyBiome™ complex. We got the chance to chat with Megan about the work she’s doing and how we can help protect bees.  

1) What prompted you to pursue a career in beekeeping and what about it do you love?

My interest in beekeeping began as a young child on my father’s dairy farm near Delhi, New York where we kept beehives behind the sugar shack. After moving to Woodstock, New York, I knew the first project for my property was to try beekeeping and I've been hooked on beekeeping ever since. It's still amazing that these little insects make honey from the nectar of flowers.

2) What are some of the issues/obstacles that bees are facing now and how can we as citizens and environmental stewards help to protect them?

All our local insects are challenged with finding enough clean and abundant forage. As citizens and environmental stewards, planting native forage for honey bees and all local pollinators can really help. 

3) What has been most challenging about working in this field? 

As beekeepers, we get lots of support from our community. Over the years I’ve noticed that people are beginning to learn the important role that insects play in our environment. The only challenge I can think of is having to work with our bees on a very hot day!

4) Why is it so important that we cultivate and support beekeepers?

Supporting your local beekeepers is really supporting your local environment. Beekeepers will talk to anyone who will listen about using less pesticides and insecticides in their yards. We also champion planting native plants for pollinators and even letting the dandelions grow because they are the first food in the spring for bees.

5) For those who might be interested in bee conservancy, where is a good place to start? Are there any resources you could recommend?

For anyone interested in bee conservancy I’d suggest checking out Pollinator Partnership. Their website is chock full of resources and regional planting guides. They do great work promoting and protecting pollinators. 

For additional resources on how you can support bee health check out the National Honey Board 

6) What does it mean to be the sk*p beekeeper? 

I love being the sk*p beekeeper because it makes taking care of honey bees even more special knowing that the honey is included in products that are working to reduce the use of plastic!

7) What does it mean to be a part of a brand whose mission is to create awareness around environmental stewardship?

We are so proud to be part of sk*p’s mission of environmental stewardship. Taking better care of the planet is a huge undertaking and we as beekeepers know how important healthy plants and clean water is to the environment!