My Unknowing Mentor

A heartfelt tribute to Bob Binnie and the power of generous knowledge sharing

There's something magical about finding the right teacher at exactly the right moment in your journey. For me, that teacher appeared not in a classroom or at a local beekeeping association meeting, but through the glow of my laptop screen on a cold winter evening in the Southern Highlands of NSW. His name is Bob Binnie, and while he's never met me, never heard my voice, and probably has no idea that Wombat Way Honey even exists, he's been one of the most influential mentors in my beekeeping journey.

Bob runs Blue Ridge Honey Company with his wife Suzette from their base in Lakemont, Georgia, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With nearly four decades of commercial beekeeping experience and managing approximately 2,000 colonies, Bob represents everything I aspire to become as a beekeeper. But what makes him truly special isn't just his impressive credentials—including being named Georgia Beekeepers Association "Beekeeper of the Year" in 2003—it's his generous spirit in sharing decades of hard-won knowledge through his YouTube channel.

Finding My Guide in the Digital Hive

Like many modern beekeepers, I stumbled into Bob's world through YouTube's recommendation algorithm. I was struggling with feeding protocols during my second year of beekeeping, watching my colonies struggle through a particularly harsh winter, when I discovered his flagship video "The Art of Feeding Bees." This wasn't just another quick tip video—it was a comprehensive 64-minute webinar that Bob had recorded for the Big Valley Beekeepers Guild, and he'd made it freely available to anyone willing to learn.

Watching Bob explain the science behind feeding bees was like having a lightbulb moment. He didn't just tell me to feed 1:1 syrup in spring and 2:1 in fall—he explained why. He referenced research from Somerville's "Fat Bees Skinny Bees," discussed how nectar flows and sugar syrup stimulate hygienic behavior and brood rearing, and compared the effects of sucrose syrup versus high-fructose corn syrup on colony weight gain, brood comb drawing, and overwintering success rates.

This was the kind of education I'd been craving—not just the "what" but the "why" behind every decision in the bee yard.

The Chemistry of Connection

Bob's five-part series on "The Chemistry of Feeding Bees" became my winter evening entertainment, though "entertainment" hardly does justice to the depth of education packed into those videos. Over nearly two and a half hours of content, Bob walked me through enzymatic conversion processes, antimicrobial hydrogen peroxide production mechanisms, and optimal syrup dilution ratios for different seasons. He shared real-world feeding trial results from his commercial operations, comparing different feeder designs and discussing everything from honey-B-healthy additives to using bleach for fermentation inhibition.

What struck me most was Bob's teaching style. Here was a man managing 2,000 colonies, running a successful honey-packing operation, and dealing with the daily pressures of commercial beekeeping, yet he took the time to explain complex concepts in straightforward terms. His approach was always practical, always backed by science, and always focused on solving real problems that beekeepers face.

Climate Cousins Across the Globe

One of the reasons Bob's teachings resonated so deeply with me was the surprising similarity between his Georgia mountain location and our Southern Highlands environment. Both regions experience distinct seasonal variations with cold winters, both deal with elevation challenges and mountainous terrain, and both require careful seasonal hive management to navigate late spring buildup and winter preparation challenges.

When Bob talked about timing his feeding protocols around the Sourwood flow in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I could directly relate it to our native eucalyptus flows here in NSW. His discussions about mountain beekeeping challenges—dealing with temperature variations, limited forage periods, and the need for strategic feeding—felt like he was speaking directly to my situation, despite being on the other side of the world.

This geographic parallel made Bob's advice incredibly practical for my operation. His feeding strategies became essential for managing our limited natural forage periods, and his efficiency-focused methods, tested at commercial scale, proved invaluable as I worked to grow my own apiary.

The Art of the Split

If Bob's feeding series opened my eyes to the science of beekeeping, his splits methodology revolutionized my approach to colony management. His double-screen board technique eliminated one of my biggest anxieties as a developing beekeeper—the dreaded queen hunt.

Bob's method is elegantly simple yet brilliantly effective. Using a double-screen (Snellgrove) board with adjustable doors, he can create splits without ever having to locate the queen directly. The process involves gently shaking all bees from the lower brood box through a funnel, ensuring the queen remains below, then restacking the hive with the double-screen board separating the queen-right bottom section from the queen-less top section.

What I love about this technique is how it reflects Bob's commercial mindset—it's efficient, scalable, and minimizes stress on both the bees and the beekeeper. The gradual door management over 24-hour intervals, the strategic use of queen excluders, and the feeding protocols that promote rapid integration all demonstrate the kind of thoughtful, systematic approach that comes from decades of experience.

I've used Bob's splits method successfully multiple times now, and each time I'm amazed at how smoothly the process goes. No frantic searching through frames, no worry about accidentally harming the queen, just a methodical approach that works consistently.

Learning from the Best

While I've learned from many excellent beekeeping educators on YouTube—JC's Bees with Jason Chrisman's weekly tutorials, Kamon Reynolds' data-driven approach at Tennessee's Bees, and David Haught's hands-on demonstrations at Barnyard Bees—Bob Binnie has consistently been my go-to resource for the deeper questions.

When I need to understand the fundamentals of bee biology, I might turn to JC's accessible explanations. When I want to see the latest equipment reviews, Barnyard Bees delivers. When I'm curious about data-driven management techniques, Kamon's scientific approach is invaluable. But when I need to understand the why behind a management decision, when I want to learn techniques that have been proven at commercial scale, when I need the confidence that comes from science-backed methods, I turn to Bob.

His channel represents something unique in the YouTube beekeeping community—the generous sharing of commercial-level expertise without any expectation of return. Bob isn't selling courses, he's not promoting a product line, he's simply sharing what he's learned over four decades of keeping bees. His 297 videos and nearly 70,000 subscribers are testament to the hunger for this kind of authentic, experience-based education.

The Unknowing Mentor's Gift

What makes Bob such a powerful mentor is precisely the fact that he doesn't know he's mentoring me. There's no pressure, no judgment, no expectation of progress reports or fee payments. Just pure knowledge sharing from someone who clearly loves what he does and wants others to succeed.

I've watched Bob's seasonal progress reports on the Sourwood flow, learned from his nuc-making demonstrations, studied his queen-rearing techniques, and absorbed his "odds and ends" apiary management tips. Each video has added another layer to my understanding, another tool to my beekeeping toolkit.

His recent videos like "Growing Bees On Feed Update & More" and "Beekeeping: Combining Double Screen Board Nucs with Colonies" continue to provide insights that directly impact how I manage my hives. The fact that these videos garner tens of thousands of views shows I'm not alone in finding value in Bob's teachings.

The Ripple Effect of Knowledge

Bob's influence extends far beyond his immediate subscriber base. His methods get discussed on forums like Beesource, where experienced beekeepers reference his "2-frame splits" and "syrup drenching" techniques. His scientific approach to feeding has influenced countless beekeepers to move beyond simple sugar water to understanding the complex chemistry of colony nutrition.

In my own small way, I try to pay forward what Bob has taught me. When local beekeepers ask about feeding protocols, I share Bob's insights about sucrose versus high-fructose corn syrup. When someone struggles with making splits, I demonstrate the double-screen board method. When new beekeepers want to understand the science behind their management decisions, I point them to Bob's channel.

This is the beautiful thing about knowledge—it multiplies when shared. Bob's generous teaching has created ripples that extend far beyond his Georgia mountains, reaching beekeepers like me in the Australian highlands and countless others around the world.

A Personal Thank You

Bob, if you ever happen to read this, please know that your work has made a real difference. Your patient explanations have turned my anxiety-inducing hive inspections into confident management decisions. Your feeding protocols have helped my colonies thrive through challenging seasons. Your splits method has allowed me to expand my apiary without the stress and uncertainty I once felt.

More than that, your approach to teaching—generous, scientific, practical—has shown me what it means to be part of the beekeeping community. You've demonstrated that expertise shared freely multiplies, that complex concepts can be made accessible, and that the best teachers are often those who simply love what they do and want others to succeed.

Your channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyga7OtRJSzHzXXXurYCmQ has become my go-to university for advanced beekeeping education. Your webinars are my winter evening entertainment. Your methods are proven in my bee yards.

The Knowledge is There for the Taking

To my fellow beekeepers reading this, I encourage you to discover Bob Binnie's teachings for yourself. Whether you're struggling with feeding protocols, looking to expand your operation through splits, or simply want to understand the deeper science behind bee management, Bob's channel offers a wealth of knowledge that's freely available to anyone willing to learn.

Start with "The Art of Feeding Bees" if you want to understand colony nutrition. Dive into his five-part chemistry series if you're ready for the deep science. Watch his splits demonstrations if you want to expand your apiary with confidence. Each video represents decades of experience distilled into practical, actionable knowledge.

The beauty of having an unknowing mentor like Bob is that the relationship is entirely what you make of it. You can learn at your own pace, revisit concepts as many times as needed, and apply the knowledge in ways that fit your specific situation and goals.

Gratitude in the Bee Yard

Every time I successfully feed my colonies through a dearth, every time I make a split without stress, every time I make a management decision based on understanding rather than guesswork, I think of Bob Binnie. He may not know it, but he's been there with me in the bee yard, his voice in my head explaining the why behind every action.

This is the power of generous teaching—it creates connections across time and space, linking experienced practitioners with eager learners, building a community of knowledge that benefits everyone involved. Bob's willingness to share his expertise freely has made me a better beekeeper, and through me, has influenced every colony in my care and every beekeeper I've been able to help in turn.

Thank you, Bob, for being the unknowing mentor who helped transform my beekeeping journey from anxious guesswork into confident, science-based management. Your generosity in sharing four decades of experience has made a difference in bee yards far from your Georgia mountains, and for that, the entire beekeeping community owes you a debt of gratitude.

The knowledge is out there, fellow beekeepers. All we have to do is be willing to learn from those generous enough to share it.

Visit Bob Binnie's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyga7OtRJSzHzXXXurYCmQ to access this wealth of beekeeping knowledge for yourself.