Michael Palmer Sustainability Through Vertical Beekeeping

In 1998, when Michael first attempted to begin wintering nucleus colonies, his main concern … from where did he get the bees and brood? He had an apiary of thirteen colonies that needed to be moved. In July he broke down those colonies into forty nucleus colonies. All forty nuclei came through the Vermont winter. Was he convinced? Absolutely.
Then came the second year. Michael could harvest brood and bees from stronger production colonies, but that path forward meant removing full supers, harvesting a few frames of brood, and replacing those heavy supers on the hives. Ugh, more lifting than he wanted to do.
In 2011 came one of those eureka moments. He kept some of his best overwintered nucleus colonies and used them as his brood source. All the brood and bee resources for growing queen cells and making his nucleus colonies came from these nucleus colonies whose sole purpose is to grow combs of brood. Hence, the term "Brood Factory".
Today, more than ten years later, Michael has in excess of a hundred of these Brood Factories. They have become the foundation of his sustainable apiary just as the wintered nuclei have become the building blocks.

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

good talk good presentation!

[@GLuft3]

Mike posted that a “Make your own woodenware” video was forthcoming. Will that be released soon? I need to build some boxes.

[@aletrip642]

How do you prevent breeding with weaker bees that can't fight varroa mites?

[@michaellavazza960]

I have 4 of these these palmarized 4 over 4 and ive tried and failed to have one live over a winter. Mite treated, fed well, etc…completely baffled.

[@AmericansBee]

I just love to hear Mike talk. Such an awesome guy

[@dronebee4296]

Brood factory surely keep my hives alive,thank you very much ,for all your information, Micheal you're keep me inspired thank you

[@framcesmoore]

Mike is the best, I made nucs las year liek he said now I did not use them for brood factories I used them to save production hives when there queens failed I felt like a real bee keeper. I knew what to do I did not feel like I was putting my money in a deep well. it felt good I was sustainable. Going to do it again this year as well. I never get tired of listening to this man

[@WellesbourneHoneyCo]

We will be implementing the "Palmer Brood Factory" this year.

[@badassbees3680]

Finally a video where Michael can just talk instead of two or three other people with him that don't have a clue

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

never seen a dummer comment then this one!!!!! talk about no clue!!!!! LOL smh

[@badassbees3680]

@@thehiveandthehoneybee9547 pretty funny you spelled dumber wrong... not surprised..lefty

[@charleyfrancis8671]

I'm about to watch the vid... I'm predicting that at some point there will be a couple of curmudgeons who have maybe three hives between them, who will want to argue and debate some point with Michael..... Just a prediction.

[@houstonsheltonbees814]

The Method,. Thanks