© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Michigan’s long history of keeping bees

Roger Sutherland

With it being National Pollinator Week, we continue our series, "The Business of Bees."

It started centuries ago, scooping honey out of a tree.

Today, there's big money in pollination.

Roger Sutherland is a retired biology professor, and has been keeping bees for over 50 years. 

"Many of the commercial beekeepers have changed from producing honey to pollination contracts," Sutherland says.

He says that Michigan, which continually ranks in the top ten honey-producing states, has played a major role in beekeeping history. 

He spoke with Stateside about how and when beekeeping became a business in Michigan. 

 
 

Want to learn more about pollinators? The Southeast Michigan Beekeepers Association has more on their website

 
  

Stateside is produced daily by a dedicated group of producers and production assistants. Listen daily, on-air, at 3 and 8 p.m., or subscribe to the daily podcast wherever you like to listen.
Related Content