Professional engineer by day, master beekeeper … also by day.
Jack Rademacher — owner, operator, and master beekeeper of Sawmill Creek Apiaries — is a curious man. If he doesn’t know the answer to something, gosh darnit he’ll figure it out. Perhaps its from his storied career as a problem-solver; Jack is a professional mechanical engineer with expertise in cargo-tank–trailer design. (Those big, silver “MILK” trailers that you pass on the highway? That’s what we’re talking about.) A true midwesterner, Jack has always loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, and getting into all sorts of shenanigans — first as a kid with his siblings, then later with his three (now grown) children, and soon with his first grandchild. As an outdoorsman with a thirst for knowledge, Jack found the perfect outlet: bees.
What got you interested in beekeeping?
The reason I first became interested in beekeeping was probably because it was apparent that there were very few honeybees anymore and it was actually almost an event when I did see a honeybee. So, as my gift back to nature, I decided to help save the bees.
Why is it a great hobby?
If you’re at all intrigued about nature, beekeeping becomes an amazing hobby that definitely makes you more aware of your natural surroundings. For example, you naturally become more aware of the change in weather and the rhythm of the seasons, the flowering of plants and trees, the arrival and departure of migrant birds, etc.
What’s your favorite thing about beekeeping?
It’s probably because there is always something more to learn. Honeybees are pretty independent creatures that prefer to be left alone and to practice their form of “Honeybee Democracy.” Of course, there are times when you do have to get into the hive and work with them and it quickly becomes apparent that there is rarely a trip to the apiary that does not result in learning something new or learning that my current understanding of something is not quite correct and there is therefore more to learn. Part of the reason there’s so much to learn is that every season seems to be different.
Sawmill Creek Apiaries 