To bee, or not to bee? That is the question.

Christina Wilke lives with her husband and daughter on a small farm outside Premnitz in the Eastern part of Germany. The farm is full of animals, but in this interview, we focus on one tiny creature in particular – an insect that is easy to take for granted but is crucial to the survival of the entire human race.

Christina, please tell us what you do at Jacobi.

Since November 2018, I have been working in the finance department for Jacobi Carbons and Jacobi Services Germany, also handling our Polish business. I am based at our site in Premnitz.

You live outside of the city; could you describe your surroundings? 

The farm where we live is in a secluded location. For at least two kilometres, we only have fields, forests, and meadows. This is where we take time out, and it gives us peace and quiet when the days have been a bit more exhausting.

What is your passion when you are not working at Jacobi?

I spend a lot of time with my family (my husband and our daughter who is nine) and also support the local horse-riding club and the music school. Since we also have a small farm, there is a lot to do before and after work at Jacobi. The sheep, cows, horses, and rabbits must be cared for. And then we have the bees, of course, that need our regular attention. We love our bees; they help us stay closer to nature.

When and how did your interest in bees start?

My husband first sparked my interest in bees; he started with a colony at the age of 13. When we met in 2006, he had kept bees as a hobby for 16 years and had four bee colonies in total. Gradually, I started helping out. At first, I just watched and tried to learn everything. However, we realised that my generally impatient nature is not beneficial when handling and working with the bees themselves, so I had to slow down a bit.

The bees sense the mental state of the person working with them. So, if I’m working on the hive and I have to pick up my daughter from nursery, take her to music school or have other appointments, the bees will notice I’m in a hurry. They don’t like stress that humans unconsciously radiate as they can also become stressed and start to sting. My husband can switch off very well; the bees have a calming effect on him, which they really sense.

Are people aware of the risks of a declining bee population?

I think people are slowly beginning to understand what bees and other pollinating insects do for us. However, many people still don’t realise the risks that we will face in the future and what it means for the planet if these insects become extinct. This is why people don’t always understand beekeepers and their work. Sadly, as a result, beehives are sometimes knocked over by vandals, killing the bees inside and ruining the entire system we create.

What actions can people take to help preserve bees and other pollinators?

First and foremost, people should buy their honey directly from the beekeeper in the region where they are. Repeated food inspections of honey in grocery stores have shown that honey that is imported has often been extended with other sugar solutions. If they market their honey directly, a beekeeper is always subject to food inspections, so it can be assumed that the honey is natural. Furthermore, flowering areas should be created for insects; rock gardens and ‘sterile’ front gardens are not beneficial.

Companies can also contribute. For example, flowering meadows can be created in areas that would otherwise not be used, or ‘insect hotels’ can be set up. At Jacobi Group our Sustainability Journey is based on eight KPIs, and Environmental Impact is one of them. I know that we are doing great things in this area, but to protect all bees, I am convinced that we can do more and I’m happy to get involved if anybody has any ideas!

Christina, thank you, for your participation in this article. Your passion inspires us all, and we are buzzing to have you onboard.