Girls and Bees

In episode 18 of the Vast LIves Podcast, Steve Shooter visits the beautiful farm of Yvonne and Rachel, two passionate beekeepers who are based close to Kenting National Park in Taiwan. Surrounded by the sounds of bees buzzing and nature's beauty, Steve discovers their unconventional path to becoming beekeepers and how they fell in love with nature.

The discussion started by learning about the incredible world of bees, where 99% are female and are responsible for pollination and keeping the ecosystem going. Rachel, who is from Taipei, spoke about her move to Hengchun, where she fell in love with beekeeping and the natural beauty of the country. Yvonne, who has been a resident of almost 20 years, also spoke about the beauty of surfing, which had initially attracted her to Kenting.

As they related their experiences in beekeeping, Yvonne and Rachel talked about how their foray into the business was not a deliberate decision but rather a serendipitous path guided by the bees themselves. They focused on the part of bees in enabling plants to grow and in assisting local wildlife, which reinforced their resolve in sustainability and stewardship of the environment.

Rachel, who was a master's student, gave us a glimpse of the complex social hierarchy of the bee colonies and how bees use dance to communicate. This created an opportunity for a discussion of what we can learn from bees, specifically the importance of cooperation and community, which has very important implications in the modern world.

They also discussed the obstacles of being women entrepreneurs in a world dominated by men. Yvonne openly discussed the stereotypes and expectations they have to deal with, but she is determined to see other women not place restrictions on their aspirations.

The program also featured a beautiful tour of their process of making honey, from the various flavors that they get from various flowers to the meticulous care that they take to ensure their honey is pure. They talked about how typhoons impacted their beekeeping, revealing the delicate balance between nature and their company.

As the podcast drew to a conclusion, Yvonne and Rachel welcomed listeners to come visit their farm, stressing the importance of learning about bees and honey. They invite everyone to take up nature and learn about the significant role that bees play in our environment.

This episode is a tribute to passion, resilience, and the miracles of nature, and reminds us all of the value of cooperation and sustainability in our lives. Join us as we explore the world of bees, surfing, and women empowerment with Yvonne and Rachel of Girls and Bees.