Brian and Marcia Hoelzen

michaeljaross

My husband and I are newish beekeepers (3 years) of a small apiary. We consider Michael to be our mentor. The northwest is a challenging place to be a beekeeper, but Michael has saved our hives more than once. This year one of our queens died very early in the spring. I sent Michael a panicked email. At the same time, I emailed the place I got the queen and another experienced beekeeper. Michael was the one who responded immediately, and with a name of someone who had extra queens. We were saved. He is so knowledgeable, and is also very well connected – a valuable combination! Thank you Michael!

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June 27, 2017

Chuck Howell

Michael has been a knowledgeable advisor and hands-on teacher for me since 2013. For example, Michael is a moderator on our local online beekeeping forum, “mtbakerbees,” where he is a frequent and expert commentator. The forum is informative and I continually learn new beekeeping techniques from his posts.

Moreover, Michael has visited my apiary several times advising me on varroa control and hive splitting plus some bee keeping tricks. His visits helped me solve problems and prepare for the next major activity. I recommend contacting Michael for any beekeeping questions.

Chuck Howell

Howell Day Apiary , Samish Island

Janet Wilson

I was fortunate to meet Michael in Journeyman class, and I rely on his well-researched advice. Timing is everything in beekeeping and no one understands our local bee environment like Michael does. A little intervention combined with wise planning can improve your honey harvest, help you get your bees through the winter, and set you up for success in expanding your apiary. I would trust Michael to do the best for me and my bees.

Janet Wilson

Tsawassen, BC

Brian and Marcia Hoelzen

Dewey Valley

Evan Jones

I believe the axiom about beekeepers is true: ‘Ask two beekeepers for advice and you will get three answers.’ However, the answer I came to trust most often was Michael’s. He has encyclopedic knowledge of honey bees, beekeeping, and honey production, and he is able to share it in an understandable way.

Evan Jones

Bellingham

Gary Bachman

I have used Michael’s consulting services over the past three years with great success. He helped me as a new beekeeper in finding the best location for my hives and in developing my skills with hive inspections. I have also used his services in dealing with overwintering, swarm prevention, queen marking and mite management. Due to his help I am a much more confident bee keeper and able to manage challenges on my own.

Gary Bachman

Bellingham

Emilie Jenkins

Michael has consistently gone above and beyond to help me as I’ve begun beekeeping. He’s come to my home and guided me through inspections, identified problems, and helped me understand the intricacies of beekeeping. He took extra time to explain his methods and reasonings and encouraged my journey as a new beekeeper. I’ve learned so much from his help and guidance. I can’t thank him enough.

Emilie Jenkins

Bellingham

Dick Steinkamp

I raised bees in the 1980s in the Midwest. I found it to be an interesting and rewarding hobby. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I didn’t have time for bees after only a few years. Once I retired here in Whatcom County, however, I decided to get back into bee keeping. I found out quickly that beekeeping had changed substantially in the last 30 years due to the Varroa mite. I also learned that the unique climate in the PNW created an additional layer of complexity to successful bee keeping.

There was plenty of bee keeping information in print and on line, but what ultimately worked for me was finding Michael and having him become my “bee mentor”. I spent a couple hours every week in the summer with Michael “hands on” in either my hive or one of his. It made the reading come alive! Seeing first hand (and actually doing) swarm prevention, queen marking, frame manipulation, Varroa evaluation and treatment, prepping for winter, and the hundred other aspects of bee keeping worked far better for me than any reading or class room time could.

Michael was not only my “safety net” to prevent me from doing something terminally stupid, but was also a patient and thorough instructor in the fine art of raising healthy and productive bees in our unique micro climate. Michael’s system works. I highly recommend Michael if you are a new beekeeper, a bee keeper with a problem or question, or even someone considering keeping bees. You’ll get the right help from an experienced, successful bee keeper who is a pleasure to work with.

Dick Steinkamp

Bellingham

Kirsten Drickey and Kendall Whitney

Michael is a beekeeper’s beekeeper, and his deep understanding of the art and science of keeping bees–as well as his generosity of spirit–makes him an invaluable resource to beekeepers in Whatcom County. He is particularly good at helping beginners move just a tad faster along the learning curve by explaining core concepts in an accessible way. Michael’s thorough and thoughtful advice helped us weather our first season as beekeepers, and I look forward to learning more from him as we–hopefully!–advance in our skills as beekeepers. I would highly recommend his services to all area beekeepers of any skill level.

Kirsten Drickey and Kendall Whitney

Bellingham