Kim Flottum

Cohost, Author

Kim Flottum attended the University Of Wisconsin, Madison, receiving a BS in Horticulture Production. While an undergrad he worked for the UW Entomology Department, researching insect control in green houses and gardens, and writing Extension Bulletins about those pests.

After graduation, he worked for the USDA Honey Bee Research Lab in Madison for four years, studying crop pollination, pesticide problems with honey bees and using honey plants in the home landscape. Later he moved to Connecticut where he was a farm manager, producing row crop vegetables and managing an apple orchard. While there he joined the CT Beekeepers Association, became President and then CT Director to Eastern Apicultural Society. John Root was also on the EAS Board at the time, and after a year offered the job of Publications Manager and Editor of Gleanings In Bee Culture, A.I. Root’s monthly beekeeping magazine.

During his tenure at A. I. Root, he created a new magazine, BEEKeeping, Your First Three Years, and also published several books, by multiple authors, along with editing three editions of The ABC and XYZ Of Bee Culture. He designed the first of Root’s beekeeping web pages, and started the daily email blast CATCH THE BUZZ.

Kim also served in leadership positions with The Ohio State Beekeeper's Assn and EAS.

During his 33 years as Bee Culture Editor, he produced five books of his own, including five editions of "The Backyard Beekeeper", plus In "Business With Bees", "The Honey Handbook", "First Time Beekeeping", "The Honey Connoisseur with Marina Marchese", and "Common Sense Natural Beekeeping", with Stephanie Bruneau.

He officially retired from Root in 2019 and continued writing and recording the Beekeeping Today Podcast with Jeff Ott and Honey Bee Obscura podcast with Jim Tew.

Sadly, Kim passed away after a short battle with cancer, December 10, 2023 at home in Medina, Ohio, surrounded by his family.