About Bees

Ron’s experiences in beekeeping

Ron Miksha: miksha@gmail.com

Ron Miksha is a Canadian beekeeper, writer, and bee ecology researcher based in Calgary, Alberta. He kept bees commercially and bred queens from 1980 to 2010 and has remained active as an urban beekeeper since then. Ron researched bee ecology at the University of Calgary, studying pollen collection by honey bees and bumble bees in urban environments.

He is the author of Bad Beekeeping (2004) and has published widely in journals including American Bee Journal, Bee Culture, BeesCene, British Beekeepers’ Quarterly, and Deutsches Bienen-Journal.

Ron has presented research at international conferences including Apimondia congresses in Montreal and Denmark. He teaches beginning beekeeping courses through his About Bees program and hosts the podcast About Bees, Culture, and Curiosity. His work has been featured in media interviews including CBC Radio (2025), CBC, CTV, and Global News. He currently serves as a director of the Alberta Native Bee Council.

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Professional Experience

Owner, About Bees
2002–2026

Commercial Beekeeper and Queen Breeder
1980–2010

Urban Hobby Beekeeper
2010–2026

Master’s Research – Bee Ecology, University of Calgary
2019–2023

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Books, Publications, and Media

Book Author
Bad Beekeeping — 2004

Book Co-author
The Beekeeper’s Role: Caring for and Protecting Alberta’s Honey Bees — 2022
(Also available in Spanish)

Articles Published
2000–2025
American Bee Journal, Bee Culture, BeesCene, British Beekeepers’ Quarterly, Deutsches Bienen-Journal

Podcast Host and Producer
About Bees, Culture, and Curiosity — 2024–2026

Blogging Experiences
Beekeeping Blog (world’s oldest beekeeping blog)
Bad Beekeeping Blog — 1996–2026

Media Interviews
2019–2025
Global News, CTV (local and national), CBC
Selected examples:
CTV honey bees v native bees interview — July 2025
CBC Calgary beekeeping interview — October 2023
CBC bumble bee decline interview — September 2023

Selected Articles – American Bee Journal

• “Do Bees Feel Pain?” — April 2022
• “Keeping Honey Bees for the Wrong Reasons” — April 2021

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Teaching and Outreach

Instructor
Beginning Beekeeping Course
Calgary and District Beekeepers Association
2015–2023

Instructor and Designer
Beginning Beekeeping Course – About Bees
2023–2026

Vocational Course Instructor
Drumheller Correctional Institution
Designed and taught beekeeping program
2021–2024

Presenter
Telus Spark Science Centre – Afternoons with an Expert
June–August 2024
Presented to ~1,000 attendees on native and managed bees

Co-Presenter
Bees and the Physics of Frequencies
with Chief Lee Crowchild
Telus Spark Indigenous Program
March 2024

Mentor
Tsuut’ina Nation Beekeepers
Led Native Beekeepers’ Conference with Chief Crowchild
2018–2023

Training Contributor
Alberta Farm Animal Care Association
Beekeeping Training Videos
2022

Symposium Presenter
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA)
Honey Bee Diseases Module
2022

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Leadership and Professional Service

Director
Alberta Native Bee Council
2022–2026

Alberta Director
Western Apicultural Society
2020–2023

Editor
ABee Landing Board
2018–2023

Expert Panel Member
Green Certificate Program
February 2026

Contributor
Alberta Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
Development of Beekeeping Module and Chapter
January–February 2026

Panelist
Alberta Government Citizen Science Forum
February 15, 2024

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Conference Presentations

Apimondia Congress – Denmark
September 2025
Divergent pollen collection by honey bees and bumble bees: Evidence from Calgary, Canada

Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission – Saskatoon
November 2023
Bee vs Bee: A look at honey bee and native bee competition

Northern Lights Beekeeping Conference
September 29 – October 1, 2023
Presented three talks:
Honey Bees vs Native Bees
The Sweetest Honey in the World
Beekeeping Economics

Alberta Native Bee Council – Edmonton
October 2022
How to talk to a (honey) bee keeper

Apimondia Congress – Montreal
2019
Presented two research papers

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Awards

Teaching Excellence Award
University of Calgary
2019–2020

Our approach

Beekeeping is best learned from an experienced professional teamed with a newer beekeeper who knows what it’s like to play with the bees for the first time. Ron and Linda will set you at ease and will be sure that you know everything you need to know to have a successful beekeeping year.