Josue Feliciano
Josue (a welder by trade) served as the apiary manager for the Philadelphia Bee Guild for several years where he spearheaded honey bee outreach and managed the guild hives. He is also certified in Pond Management and served as Vice President of the South Jersey Bee Keepers Association. His desire is to help develop the next generation of beekeepers and farmers and is looking forward to the opportunity to share his knowledge at Hive Life 2024.
The vision of Swazey Farms began in a suburban postage stamp back yard in 2013. A few chickens and a compost pile started the journey for Josue Feliciano and Randy Pearce. Farming in the traditional sense wasnt possible in the shadow of Philadelphia. Land is a scarce commodity in the Garden State and so it took a series of partnerships to make the dream of Swazey Farms a reality. Nine years later, the pair manage 40 hives across five yards in Southern New Jersey. For most beekeepers, the end goal is HONEY. For Swazey Farms, it's all about EDUCATION. Through a variety of on-site and mobile presentations given to civic groups, schools, and curious suburbanites they spread the agricultural bug that bit them so many years ago. Classes are tailored for both children and adults and talk not only about honey bees, but about creating a "farm" of your own. Shattering the notion of needing several acres and a John Deere tractor, they discuss how to live sustainably in your own back yard. Managing space and leveraging partnerships are the keys for success and they share the knowledge they've acquired over the years with anyone willing to listen.