Beekeeping Forward is launching to try and bridge that gap.
From "this is how I've always done it" to "what do we know?"
Beekeeping is full of strong opinions. Two experienced beekeepers can give completely different advice on wintering, varroa control, feeding, or honey harvesting – and both can have thriving apiaries.
Experience is valuable. But it becomes even more valuable when documented, compared with others' experiences, and weighed against research.
Internationally, there are several interesting examples.
In the US, the Bee Informed Partnership has collected large amounts of data from beekeepers to investigate correlations between management practices and honey bee colony losses.
In Europe, the research network COLOSS works with internationally comparable data on topics such as winter losses, while EU projects like B-GOOD have explored how sensors, digital documentation, and data analysis can be used in future beekeeping.
Common to all is an important idea:
The beekeeper is not just a recipient of knowledge. The beekeeper can also contribute to creating it.
That is the idea behind Beekeeping Forward
Beekeeping Forward will highlight research, trials, experiences, technology, and innovations that can advance beekeeping.
Here there will be space for both established knowledge and ideas that are not yet fully tested – as long as we are clear about the difference.
A study is not automatically the truth. A single beekeeper's experience is also not scientific proof.
But when research, documented experiences, and data are allowed to meet, interesting things can start to happen.
Can an established method be improved? Can beekeepers' observations be collected so that we learn something together? Can digital documentation and AI help us discover connections that might otherwise be lost?
Not another truth about beekeeping
Beekeeping Forward will not tell Swedish beekeepers exactly how to manage their bees.
We want to create an environment where assertions can be scrutinized, old truths questioned, and new ideas tested.
It should be possible to say:
"I don't know – but this is something we should find out."
That is often where development begins.
Under News, we will therefore highlight Swedish and international research, interesting trials, new technology, and other initiatives that can impact the future of beekeeping.
Have you seen a study we should bring attention to? Conducted a trial that yielded an unexpected result? Or do you have an idea someone should dare to try?
Get in touch. Beekeeping Forward doesn't start with the answers. It starts with the questions.