41 episodes

Notes from the Beeyard is a weekly podcast about the joys and disappointments of beekeeping.From 1990 to 2016 Colorado beekeeper Tom Theobald wrote a weekly column, Notes from the Beeyard, for a regional farm and ranch magazine.Tom's initial plan for Notes from the Beeyard was to document a single year in his life as a beekeeper - swarm management, working toward the honey flow, bears - and so on. Over time, the column grew to hold much more. Notes from the Beeyard is about the joys and disappointments of beekeeping. It’s about the Colorado landscape, friendship, the fabric of Western life, and the passage of time.Listen to Notes from the Beeyard to hear Tom read stories about beekeeping. Enjoy the conversation that follows as Tom and Notes from the Beeyard podcast host, Laura Tyler, chat about Tom's stories.Tom Theobold standing next to one of his two-queen colonies in Boulder County, Colorado.Tom Theobald"There are few crafts which draw one as intimately into the natural order of things as the bees do, and even after years of beekeeping I often found myself standing in awe at some event I witnessed in my work."Tom Theobald is an author and beekeeper who has lived and kept bees in Niwot, Colorado for over 40 years.Laura Tyler"I love talking with beekeepers and listening to stories about their lives because working with bees is fascinating and can feel adventuresome."Laura Tyler is a media producer and visual artist with over 20 years experience keeping bees in Boulder, Colorado.https://notesfromthebeeyard.buzz

Notes from the Beeyard Tom Theobold and Laura Tyler

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 11 Ratings

Notes from the Beeyard is a weekly podcast about the joys and disappointments of beekeeping.From 1990 to 2016 Colorado beekeeper Tom Theobald wrote a weekly column, Notes from the Beeyard, for a regional farm and ranch magazine.Tom's initial plan for Notes from the Beeyard was to document a single year in his life as a beekeeper - swarm management, working toward the honey flow, bears - and so on. Over time, the column grew to hold much more. Notes from the Beeyard is about the joys and disappointments of beekeeping. It’s about the Colorado landscape, friendship, the fabric of Western life, and the passage of time.Listen to Notes from the Beeyard to hear Tom read stories about beekeeping. Enjoy the conversation that follows as Tom and Notes from the Beeyard podcast host, Laura Tyler, chat about Tom's stories.Tom Theobold standing next to one of his two-queen colonies in Boulder County, Colorado.Tom Theobald"There are few crafts which draw one as intimately into the natural order of things as the bees do, and even after years of beekeeping I often found myself standing in awe at some event I witnessed in my work."Tom Theobald is an author and beekeeper who has lived and kept bees in Niwot, Colorado for over 40 years.Laura Tyler"I love talking with beekeepers and listening to stories about their lives because working with bees is fascinating and can feel adventuresome."Laura Tyler is a media producer and visual artist with over 20 years experience keeping bees in Boulder, Colorado.https://notesfromthebeeyard.buzz

    I AM the Boss

    I AM the Boss

    Tom describes a near-perfect day in the beeyard. Laura asks, “Will there be a Season 2?”

    “This beeyard has long been one of my favorites under any conditions, but on this particular day, it was absolutely mesmerizing. It's great to be a beekeeper, great to be alive.”



    CREDITS
    Producer: Laura Tyler
    Author: Tom Theobald
    Editor: Andy Schwarz
    Music: "Americana" and "Sonorus" by Mr Smith are licensed under CC by 4.0
    Logo Design: Janet Cerretani

    • 12 min
    Bear Stew

    Bear Stew

    Tom Theobald remembers his guiding days in the Flat Tops Wilderness. Tom and Laura chat about Lulu, miller moths and "bear" stew.

    "Among the guests that evening, there were visions of steaming dishes filled with claws and hair and knowing glances shot between the regulars . . . "



    CREDITS
    Producer: Laura Tyler
    Author: Tom Theobald
    Editor: Andy Schwarz
    Music: "Americana" and "Sonorus" by Mr Smith are licensed under CC by 4.0
    Logo Design: Janet Cerretani

    • 16 min
    Feeding All the Animals

    Feeding All the Animals

    Tom tells an entertaining story. Tom and Laura chat about Notes from the Beeyard.

    Like some reptiles, this critter feeds infrequently and Sunday is the day. A favorite of many of my friends, it holds a strange appeal for me as well, and yet I often find it intimidating, threatening, even dangerous. 



    CREDITS
    Producer: Laura Tyler
    Author: Tom Theobald
    Editor: Andy Schwarz
    Music: "Americana" and "Sonorus" by Mr Smith are licensed under CC by 4.0
    Logo Design: Janet Cerretani

    • 18 min
    Working the Nightshift

    Working the Nightshift

    Tom Theobald addresses pesticides. Tom and Laura chat about the challenges of keeping bees near agriculture.

    “Our day is neither ending nor beginning, merely pausing as we enter the warm cafe for breakfast. We have been up since 2:00 A.M., closing in two yards of bees and after a good meal we will stop briefly at home . . ."



    CREDITS
    Producer: Laura Tyler
    Author: Tom Theobald
    Editor: Andy Schwarz
    Music: "Americana" and "Sonorus" by Mr Smith are licensed under CC by 4.0
    Logo Design: Janet Cerretani

    • 21 min
    Nobody's Down on the Farm Anymore

    Nobody's Down on the Farm Anymore

    Tom Theobald explains why it’s important to educate people about agriculture. Tom and Laura chat about the city mouse/country mouse situation in Boulder County, Colorado. 

    “It’s easy to talk about the philosophy of farming. It’s more difficult to accept the economic restrictions that it brings. Particularly if you live in a county that’s adjacent to a metropolitan area . . ."



    CREDITS
    Producer: Laura Tyler
    Author: Tom Theobald
    Editor: Andy Schwarz
    Music: "Americana" and "Sonorus" by Mr Smith are licensed under CC by 4.0
    Logo Design: Janet Cerretani

    • 16 min
    Queens in the Bank

    Queens in the Bank

    Tom Theobald extolls an elegant solution. Tom and Laura chat about banking queens.

    "I had a significant financial investment in these queens and I didn’t want any of those queens to fail because I didn’t get them into the colonies as quickly as I should . . ."



    CREDITS
    Producer: Laura Tyler
    Author: Tom Theobald
    Editor: Andy Schwarz
    Music: "Americana" and "Sonorus" by Mr Smith are licensed under CC by 4.0
    Logo Design: Janet Cerretani

    • 18 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

The Tabletop Tales ,

Absolutely beautiful podcast

Was looking for a beekeeping podcast and chose this one randomly because of how soothing both Tom and Laura’s voices are. Turned out to be the most beautiful project and I’m so thankful I found it. Tom’s writing is simple and evocative and makes it so easy to imagine yourself in rural Colorado. Listening to this gives me the warmest feeling inside.

GaryDagma ,

GaryDagma

We love the stories! Thank you for getting these out in the world as they are precious and worthy. Tom’s voice is soothing and his sense of humor is delightful. We look forward to each new podcast.

Hawthorne*** ,

Warm and rich

Tom has a unique ability to immerse you in the sensory world of his experiences through his poetic choice of words…

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Fallen Angels: A Story of California Corruption
iHeartPodcasts
Inconceivable Truth
Wavland
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American Life
The Viall Files
Nick Viall
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan | Cumulus Podcast Network