Dr. Dewey Caron: Bees and Beekeepers Across Cultures—Theirs and Ours
Dr. Dewey Caron is more than a beekeeper and entomologist; he is a bridge between cultures, communities, and the essential relationship between humanity and pollinators. With a career spanning six decades, his work has taken him from rural Vermont, where his fascination with honey bees began, to the farthest reaches of Central and South America, where he has empowered communities and strengthened ecosystems for both people and bees.
A Lifetime of Learning and Teaching
Dr. Caron’s journey began as a teenager in Vermont, earning a Boy Scout merit badge in beekeeping. His passion led him to a Ph.D. in entomology at Cornell University, where he studied under Roger Morse. Over the years, he has authored 10 books, including Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping, and advised organizations like the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program, Bee Informed Partnership, and Save the Bee.
Beyond academia, his expertise has taken him into the field, where he has worked with rural communities in Panama, Bolivia, and Guatemala, helping them adopt sustainable beekeeping practices. In these regions, honey is more than a product—it’s a form of economic resilience, offering income during the lean months of the coffee harvest.
The Colony and the Co-op: Lessons from Coffee Communities
For Dr. Caron, bees are a lens through which to understand community, collaboration, and sustainability. “Beekeeping is not a solitary pursuit,” he reflects. “You need mentors, community, and a shared wealth of knowledge to thrive.”
His work with cooperatives in Latin America exemplifies this principle. In coffee-growing regions, he has helped farmers organize around beekeeping, allowing them to pool resources, produce higher-quality honey, and access broader markets. He notes that where cooperative structures are absent, beekeeping becomes far more challenging.
One of his most striking observations is how rural co-op models mirror the structure of a bee colony. Just as bees operate collectively for the good of the hive, these farming communities thrive through collaboration. In Panama, for example, Caron found that coffee farmers already possessed the cooperative mindset necessary for successful beekeeping. By introducing honey bee colonies, they not only supplemented their income but also reinforced traditions of shared labor and mutual support—illustrating that success, like in a hive, depends on unity.
Adapting Across Borders
Dr. Caron’s global experiences highlight how bees and their keepers adapt to different environments. In Central and South America, bees tend to be more defensive due to natural pressures from predators and pests, a trait that makes them resilient and highly productive in their ecosystems.
Conversely, in the United States, migratory beekeeping dominates, with colonies transported across the country to meet pollination demands. This movement exposes bees to stress, pests, and environmental pollutants, likened by Dr. Caron to a “mixing bowl” of pathogens and genetics. Meanwhile, Canadian beekeepers focus on stationary hives optimized for honey production, leading to stronger, more docile colonies.
These regional differences underscore the adaptability of bees—and their human caretakers. Caron emphasizes the need to respect local conditions when developing sustainable practices, ensuring that beekeeping methods align with ecological and cultural realities.
Bees as a Universal Language
For Dr. Caron, bees are a universal language, transcending borders, cultures, and climates. Whether in the highlands of Panama or the orchards of California, beekeepers across the world share a common bond in their care for these vital creatures. Even in the face of language barriers, the hum of a hive speaks of unity and interdependence.
Pollinators know no boundaries, flitting between fields, backyards, and wild landscapes. From Canadian honey sweetening breakfast tables worldwide to Central American bees pollinating coffee plants, bees symbolize global interconnectedness. Their work reinforces a fundamental ecological truth: our survival is intertwined with theirs.
Dr. Caron has seen how bees unite individuals across generations. A grandparent and child tending a backyard hive experience the same wonder as Bolivian farmers or Oregonian beekeepers at an international conference. The cycle of pollination and honey-making creates a space where knowledge, respect, and stewardship flourish.
Building Bridges Through Beekeeping
In a time of global environmental challenges, Dr. Caron believes bees remind us of the power of small, consistent actions. Planting pollinator gardens, supporting local honey producers, or advocating against harmful pesticides all contribute to healthier ecosystems. These efforts mirror the cooperative spirit of the hive—where each individual’s contributions build something greater than themselves.
Ultimately, his message is simple: to understand bees is to understand the world. By protecting pollinators, we safeguard the ecosystems that sustain life. And in doing so, we build bridges—between communities, countries, and generations—reflecting the cooperative spirit of the hive.
