Speaking & Educational Programs

Kristine Smith – Stone Horse Apiary & Apothecary

Kristine Smith is a beekeeper, educator, and artisan based in Franklin, Virginia and the owner of Stone Horse Apiary & Apothecary. She manages a growing apiary operation, produces honey and beeswax products, and teaches beekeeping across Virginia through workshops, conferences, and community programs.

Kristine currently serves as President of the Virginia State Beekeepers Association, one of the oldest beekeeping organizations in the United States, founded in 1918. Through her work she focuses on practical beekeeping education, pollinator conservation, sustainable apiary management, and connecting communities with the fascinating world of honey bees.

Her talks are designed to be informative, engaging, and accessible, whether speaking to beginner beekeepers, garden clubs, environmental organizations, schools, or the general public.

Programs can be adapted for 30–60 minute presentations or hands-on workshops.

Some of the Available Presentations

The Wonderful World of Honey Bees

A fascinating introduction to honey bees and their incredible biology. This talk explores how bees live, communicate, build colonies, and interact with the environment. Perfect for general audiences, schools, libraries, and community events.

Getting Started in Beekeeping

Thinking about keeping bees? This presentation walks through what it really takes to start beekeeping—from equipment and colony setup to seasonal management and common beginner mistakes.

The Joys of Beekeeping

A personal and inspiring talk about the rewards of working with honey bees, how beekeeping connects us to the natural world, and the many ways people can become involved with pollinators.

Products of the Hive

Bees produce far more than honey. This presentation explores the incredible range of hive products including honey, beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly, along with how they are used by beekeepers and in natural products.

Honey Production & Nectar Flows

Understanding nectar flows is one of the keys to successful beekeeping. This talk explains how seasonal bloom cycles affect honey production and how beekeepers work with local forage to produce unique regional honeys.

Growing Your Apiary

For beekeepers ready to expand beyond a few hives, this presentation explores strategies for scaling an apiary while maintaining healthy colonies and sustainable management practices.

Seasonal Hive Management

A practical overview of how hive management changes throughout the year. Topics include spring buildup, summer nectar flows, fall preparation, and winter survival strategies.

Strategic Apiary Management: Reducing Winter Losses

Winter losses remain one of the biggest challenges in beekeeping. This presentation focuses on proactive management strategies that help colonies survive the cold months and emerge strong in spring.

Honey Bee Pests & Diseases

An educational overview of the major pests and diseases affecting honey bees, including Varroa mites and other common threats. Learn how monitoring and integrated pest management help maintain healthy colonies.

Why Raise Queens?

Queen rearing is one of the most fascinating aspects of beekeeping. This talk introduces the basics of raising queens and explains why many beekeepers are beginning to produce their own locally adapted queens.

Honey Bees as Bioindicators

Honey bees interact with the environment across miles of landscape. This presentation explores how bees can help scientists and researchers monitor environmental health and detect changes in ecosystems.

Sustainable Beekeeping

What does sustainable beekeeping really look like? This presentation explores approaches that prioritize bee health, environmental responsibility, and long-term apiary success.

How to Make Beeswax Candles (Workshop)

A hands-on workshop demonstrating how to transform natural beeswax into beautiful candles. Participants learn about wax processing, candle types, and traditional candle-making techniques.

Speaking Engagements

Kristine regularly speaks for:

Beekeeping Associations
Garden Clubs
Libraries
Schools & Universities
Environmental Organizations
Agricultural Conferences
Festivals and Community Events

Programs can be tailored to public audiences or experienced beekeepers.

Booking Information

To inquire about scheduling a presentation or workshop:

📧 stonehorseapiary@gmail.com
🌐 www.stonehorsehoney.com

Please include:

Organization name
Event date and location
Audience type (public, beginner beekeepers, advanced beekeepers, students, etc.)
Expected audience size