Natasa Velkovska

Move the photo in all directions for a better view of the apiary.

I was born in Delchevo, but I got married in Pehchevo, where I live and rear my honey bee colonies.

I started raising bees as a hobby in 2002 with 10 bee colonies and today I am fully dedicated to beekeeping; I have 95 honey bee colonies, located near the town of Pehchevo, at the Maleshevo site of Suvi Dol, with gorgeous and clean nature.

Beekeeping is hard work; you need to commit fully to these hardworking insects that produce something that science was not able to make artificially until now. Making good quality honey requires great knowledge and experience, which I acquired from my husband Nikolcho, who is a great support in this family business. However, it requires lots of work, dedication and investment.

Education is very important for beekeeping, so my husband and I attend almost all seminars on this topic, both in Macedonia and the neighbouring countries. With the training for young beekeepers from the Nature Conservation Programme and the advanced training for production of bee products, I acquired lots of knowledge about raising bees and the production of honey and other bee products.

In the Honey East association we make great efforts to ensure that all members produce good quality honey, known under the Honey East brand, certified with a certification mark for sustainable production, which sets it apart from the other products on the market. Bees are the ones who make honey into “super food” – it is exceptionally healthy and with healing properties. That is why we should take care of bees, and nature will provide us with this super food. People are increasingly aware about bees’ importance in nature.