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Michael S. Thompson Farm Manager of the Chicago
Honey Co-op
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Michael started beekeeping as child in Southern Kansas and upon moving to Chicago in the early 1970's placed 2 hives on a neighbor's rooftop. He worked with Gene Killion as an Illinois State Bee Inspector and started teaching beekeeping informally when he was 25 years old. He and others installed 8 beehives on 3 buildings in downtown Chicago 2003-2010; City Hall, Chicago Cultural Center and Gallery 37 for the Arts The Co-op maintains these hives giving the honey back to the city where they sell it in their gift stores to support cultural programs. Michael developed the still going strong Beekeeping Program at historic Garfield Park Conservatory in 2001 while working there as Horticulturist and Community Gardener. He also created Chicago Honey Cooperative in 2004 with two city beekeepers. The shared goals of this cooperative are to support a self-sufficient business, produce tasty healthy food and pass on experience through neighborhood job-training. Photo: Wilson/Midwest Permaculture
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