In this model, the beekeeper is the focal point. The beekeeper is a relatively individualistic and autonomous person. He decides for himself how to look after his bees and makes every effort to provide the best possible care. Essentially, beekeepers do a good job. They keep abreast with developments in the field, exchange experiences with fellow beekeepers, follow courses, attend lectures and are continually seeking best practices to follow.

Beekeeping methods

There are many beekeeping methods. The particular method a beekeeper follows or the principles he adheres to is not relevant. The basics of beekeeping are essentially the same. That a beekeeper sees his colonies die is not because he has used a wrong method. Very experienced and expert beekeepers are also confronted with bee mortality. These days, in 2015, a beekeeper attributes the death of his bees to factors in the environment, factors that he cannot influence, or that he deduces from the information he receives.

Responsibility

The beekeeper is a person who feels responsible for the environment. He is aware of his role in the natural system or as supplier of pollination services.

Beekeepers are particularly aware of their position at the interface between our modern society and nature. They see the changes in the environment as none other in the status of their bee colonies. And this means that beekeepers are in a position to raise the alarm regarding pending threats.

Beekeepers and scientific research

The beekeeper who finds masses of dead bees after the winter or even in the period from August to November, has no idea whate exactly has caused the death of his bees. To date, scientists have not been able to offer beekeepers a solution or any promising results.