Homesteaders of America26 Helmi 2025

E44: Homestead Beekeeping the Natural and Organic Way | Adam Martin of Bee Kept

As a homesteader who values organic and sustainable farming practices, Adam looked around and wondered why he couldn’t find these same principles applied to the production of honey. He made it his mission to learn everything he could about raising honeybees with the most natural methods possible. Today, he writes and teaches homesteaders how to start their own honeybee farms. In this conversation, we chat about selecting and building a hive, keeping bees through the winter, the adaptability of naturally-raised bees, and more. We hope this episode leaves you feeling empowered to start on your own beekeeping endeavor!

In this episode, we cover:

What makes Adam’s natural and organic beekeeping methods different from conventional practices
Tips for maintaining healthy bees through the cold winter months
Making an argument for why horizontal hives are better than vertical hives for the backyard beekeeper
A few options for those who want to create their own DIY horizontal bee hive
Adam’s encouragement for those who dream of starting or growing their homestead

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

McMurrayHatchery.com | A wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock

Nutrimill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating

ABOUT ADAM

Bee Kept is located in Middle Tennessee and is founded by Adam and Leslie Martin. Their bee adventure started using all of the traditional methods taught and promoted by beekeepers and bee clubs all over the western world. After failing miserably in their first season of beekeeping, they used these failures as opportunities to learn outside-of-the-bee-box thinking with their beekeeping methods. They learned God’s Creative Intelligent Design for honey bees and more natural and sustainable beekeeping practices. The rest is history!

Since then their bees have enjoyed great success in overwintering without feeding sugar water or treating for pests, and they have naturally begun to share what they have learned with others. Adam loves teaching others about bees almost as much as he loves the bees.

If you have tried keeping bees and failed, or if you are just learning and wanting to get into it, Adam will inspire you to get going! Adam teaches that anyone can learn how to trap feral bees, keep them in a low to no maintenance system, and manage the colonies in horizontal hives that are better for the bees and the beekeeper!

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out Adam’s new book,Bee Kept With Wild And Free Honey Bees by Adam Martin

Free plans to build the Langstroth Long Hive

Come see Adam in May at our Learn to Homestead in a Weekend event

CONNECT

Adam Martin of Bee Kept | Website | Instagram | Facebook

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