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Greetings,

Last year I began a beekeeping business called Bee Thinking (http://www.beethinking.com) with the focus of promoting local, sustainable beekeeping practices. This year I will be placing 20 hives throughout the city of Portland as well as small organic wineries of the Willamette Valley. Our goal is to aid the struggling beekeeping industry and bring beekeeping back to the public eye. 

Unlike most beekeepers, I will not be using any chemicals in my hives to deal with the various pest and diseases that afflict the honey bee. Instead, I will be using quality breeding and a combination of more natural hive designs: Top bar hives and Warre hives. 

I have been amazed by the amount of support I've received from both the local and world communites. Due to the recent publicity of Colony Collapse Disorder, those that might not have known anything about honey bees a few years ago are becoming rather educated on the fascinating world of these insects. The wineries (all small, organic operations) have been more than willing to host some of my hives at no cost. 

I think the Pacific Nortwest is the perfect environment in which to push for alternative methods in every field, including agriculture. The plethora of CSA programs, community gardens and organic farms in the area is a clear example of our region's willingness to break from the norm. 

In addition to beekeeping, I'm also in the process of beginning a green IT support company that specializes in rural IT support -- a region that rarely receives the quality support of those in the city: http://www.beefleet.com

In my mind, if the ideal "green" job to fit your personality isn't there, create it yourself! The world is ripe for change.

Matthew Reed

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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