Presenter Mike Risk discusses how to overwinter “nucs,” or nucleus colonies, which are small honeybee colonies created from larger colonies. Mike is currently the president of the Center of Michigan Beekeepers club and has been a hobbyist and sideline beekeeper for 33 years. Mike’s interest in beekeeping began when he discovered bees in the walls of a farmhouse he bought in Eaton County all those years ago.  These days he concentrates his efforts on mentoring and educating new beekeepers  He raises queens which are acclimated to the Michigan climate and disease resistant to the pests and maladies plaguing honeybees. Mike and his wife, Sidney, live on a small farm near Laingsburg, MI where they have large gardens, chickens, raise bees and sell honey.  Beekeeping started out as a hobby and grew into a passion. Through years of beekeeping experience and a deep appreciation for the environment, he has learned organic methods of beekeeping. Now that he is retired from his “day job,” he wants to share his knowledge with others.