Today on Can I Talk To You? we venture out of Victoria for the first time and talk with someone all the way on the other side of Canada! This is not just some long distance stranger, though, this happens to be my cousin Kaleb Schriefer.

I’ve known Kaleb was a beekeeper and into biodiversity and pollination advocacy for some time, but I didn’t really know what that meant, nor did I know the bees had basically taken over his life! In this conversation you’ll hear all about that journey and how Kaleb and his family are working with bees and getting that sweet reward of tasty honey at the end!

I did reach out to my municipality to ask when they start doing their cutting and to find out about their pollinator policies, but they never got back to me about an interview… I’m assuming that what Kaleb talks about happening in May happens a bit earlier out here in Victoria, but if you want the full answer you’ll have to reach out to your municipality directly.

Kaleb also talked with me about some work he did promoting biodiversity at a regional level in the Niagara region before he moved out to the east coast. I’ve put that into a bonus extra story episode that will come out later this summer.

My thanks to Kaleb for chatting with me. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other as he had just moved away when I was last in Ontario, so it was lots of fun to talk once again. If you’re ever in Tatamagouche, look Kaleb up and taste that honey at Van Dyk Blueberries for me, or if you’re in Virgil, Ontario, say hi to the extended family at The Pie Plate, the best little café and lunch stop you’ll find in the Niagara region. You can see more of Kaleb’s work on Instagram at obeewan_kenobee. I’ve also got some photos Kaleb sent me of his bees on my website at benfast.ca/talk!

This episode was recorded and produced by me, Ben Fast, in Victoria BC on the unceded traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples. The music you’ve heard is by Kirsten Bale, thanks Kirsten! If you’re in Vancouver on May 8th, check out Kirsten’s show with her band Strange Tides, the show is at the Roxy and tickets can be found through Instagram at kirstenbalemusic.

I’d love to hear from you, what is your favourite thing to put honey on? You can let me know over on BlueSky at ben-fast. You could also tell me in a review on Apple Podcasts, because why not, and while you’re there don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast or do it wherever fine podcasts can be found.

Next week, we’re staying out east and sticking with the food theme!

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