About the Author

Kristi Cook

Kristi Cook lives in Arkansas where every year brings something new to her family’s journey for a more sustainable lifestyle. She keeps a flock of laying hens, dairy goats, a rapidly growing apiary, a large garden, and more. When she’s not busy with the critters and veggies, you can find her sharing sustainable living skills through her workshops, articles, and blog at tenderheartshomestead.com.

Honey Bee Predators: Mammals in the Bee Yard

September 9, 2021 · Kristi Cook · Health & Pests

Honey bees have many threats to contend with on a nearly daily basis, just like any other creature.

Natural Queen Rearing

September 1, 2021 · Kristi Cook · Health & Pests

Queen rearing is often seen as a beekeeping task best left ‘to the experts.’ After all, the idea of scooping up a tiny bee larvae and slipping her into a queen cup, also known as grafting, seems daunting at best to many.

Solar Bleaching Beeswax: The Safest Method for Lighter Wax

August 19, 2021 · Kristi Cook · Honey & Beeswax

Solar bleaching, on the other hand, has been around for thousands of years and is still the most common and safest method of bleaching wax with a negligible learning curve, promising a lighter wax on your first attempt with just a few steps to keep in mind.

DIY Hive Top Feeder Plan

April 11, 2021 · Kristi Cook · Hives & Equipment

Bees are hungry little creatures that occasionally require supplemental feeding. Fortunately, feeding honey bees during the warmer months requires little more than selecting a feeder and filling it with syrup.

How Do I Harvest Royal Jelly?

March 24, 2020 · Kristi Cook · Ask the Expert

To harvest royal jelly in any quantifiable amount, you’ll need several strong, healthy hives and a working knowledge of queen grafting.

About the Author

Kristi Cook

Articles by Kristi Cook