We welcome tonight Erin Evans, a certified EAS Master Beekeeper since 2008. Erin specializes in developing educational programs tailored for small and mid-scale sustainable beekeeping, particularly for those in northern climates. Her approach to apiary management is rooted in observing and aligning with the natural behaviors and habits of bees, which enhances both colony and overall apiary health.

Erin’s teachings cover essential topics such as queen rearing, swarm management, natural mite control, and sustainable harvesting techniques. Her management strategies aim to minimize or entirely eliminate the need for chemical treatments in hives, all while strengthening colony vitality. Notably, Erin has received three SARE grant awards for her innovative work that enhances colony survival using queens raised in northern conditions. She currently oversees a mid-size apiary in Portland, Maine, with approximately 70 colonies.