Kris Fricke is our featured guest on episode 94 of the Bees with Ben podcast. Kris became a
professional apiarist in 2005 and has kept bees in both California and Australia - at one time
maintaining more than 500 hives. He has also worked with bees on projects in various parts
of the African continent, amongst other destinations. In 2015, Kris founded Bee Aid
International after attending a conference on African Beekeeping held in Arusha, Tanzania.
He realised that there were many communities desperate for quality training, but a general
lack of government funding for these local projects. Thinking outside the square, Kris
decided to seek alternative funding through charitable donations.
Citing impact reports that indicate a 56-66% increase in income for the entire community for
previously completed projects, Kris believes that beekeeping is the epitome of the ‘teach a
man to fish’ proverb. Every member of the community can benefit: beekeepers can create a
new avenue of self-employed income; they may also train others in the art; carpenters may
specialise in the construction of hives; garment makers can fashion protective clothing; and
metalsmiths can manufacture tools. And then there are the retailers who take the honey to
market, as well as the cottage industry that can develop around a range of products made
from beeswax. Kris’ ambition is to one day be able to work on development projects full
time.
Kris also hosts a podcast entitled The Apinautica, which is part travelogue, part
documentation of his beekeeping exploits in developing countries. Ben recently caught up
with Kris at the Australian Bee Congress in Sydney and arranged to interview him for this
podcast.
The podcast starts in a very unusual way - no spoilers but this has never happened to us
before and is unlikely to ever again. You’ll have to listen to find out!

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