Peter 'Kim' Flottum, beekeeping expert and bestselling author, died December 10. He was 76. Flottum had a rich background and expertise in plant science, honeybee research, and basic farming, dedicating over 30 years as the editor of Bee Culture magazine. His publisher, Quarto, noted that Flottum's "impact extended far beyond the pages of the magazine, as he authored multiple bestselling books that have become indispensable resources for beekeeping enthusiasts."
Notable among these are First-Time Beekeeping, In Business with Bees, Common Sense Natural Beekeeping, and The Backyard Beekeeper, 5th Edition, which is scheduled for publication next month by Quarry Books.
Winnie Danenbarger, senior v-p and group publishing director of the Quarto Group, said that "in celebrating Kim's life, we honor his invaluable contributions to beekeeping and the indelible mark he left on the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to learn from him. His passion, knowledge, and dedication will continue to inspire beekeepers and nature enthusiasts for generations to come."
Quarto also noted that Flottum's "commitment to education was unwavering, teaching beginning and advanced beekeeping courses, crisscrossing the country to enlighten audiences. His extensive travels and frequent contributions to publications covered a spectrum of topics, ranging from the fundamentals of honeybees and beekeeping biology to the intricate dynamics of the business of bees, pollination, varietal honey production, and more."
A pioneer in advocating for honeybee safety, Flottum championed the cause of ensuring optimal honeybee health, promoting abundant forage, and advocating for the judicious use of agricultural pesticides. His legacy lives on as beekeeping's foremost proponent of these fundamental principles.
He earned his bachelor's degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin before contributing significantly to research at the USDA Honey Bee Research Lab in Madison. His expertise encompassed crop pollination, addressing pesticide challenges for honeybees, and identifying "honey plants" for home landscapes. He served as president of the Connecticut Beekeepers' Association and continued tending to his bees in the backyard of his Medina, Ohio, home until his death.