Ross Conrad's theory of natural beekeeping can be summed up as focusing on a strong, healthy colony rather than on maximum honey output.  That means leaving 60 to 80 pounds of honey on the hive to get them through his Vermont winters and feeding only in emergencies.  If he does have to feed, he tries to feed honey, then falls back on white sugar.

Conrad also believes that natural beekeepers should aim for genetic diversity and try to build up hives adapted to our local area.  We should let our bees requeen rather than killing our queen every year or two and ordering a new one.  If you do have to buy a queen, he recommends finding her locally rather than shipping in bees from across the country which are adapted to very different climates.

Finally, he points out that you need to consider an area up to 17 miles in diameter when keeping your bees happy and healthy.  In regular conditions, studies have shown that about 10% of worker bees fly up to 5.5 miles in search of distant nectar and pollen sources, and that they may fly as much as 8.5 miles when feed is scarce.  So the organic paradise we offer our bees may be offset by the coal-fired power plant eight miles away and by the pesticides and herbicides used on the large strawberry and tomato farm a similar distance in the other direction.  As beekeepers, our work is cut out for us keeping our far-ranging livestock healthy.