Meet Daniel Calzadilla | Beekeeper & Scientist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Calzadilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The process was rather roundabout, and it happened organically. I didn’t know I’d start a business when I took the certification course and was finishing my undergrad degree in 2018. I told myself that beekeeping would help my future goal of creating a thriving farm. As I am a gardener first, the beekeeping just made sense. I want to have one or two hives in my backyard, make some honey, and then eventually take them to my farm. I had no intentions of climbing 30ft ladders to get bees from a palm or shake a swarm out from a bush. 2019 was when I did a few pro-bono jobs to get “free bees” (pun intended). After a few mostly successful rescues, I realized how much work it was and all the materials and experience needed to do it right. When I finally decided to make it a formal business in early 2020 (pre-pandemic), I saw it as something fun to do on the side—getting paid to do my hobby and help people along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my opportunities but have also worked extensively to create them for myself. My academic and professional career went very slowly, even when I found the environmental sciences. None of it was easy, and I’m thankful my parents supported me in anything I wanted to do and just wanted me to finish school. So I had some wiggle room, but after my AA, I really had to decide. It all started to click when I was in my undergrad. I joined the Agroecology program, gained a scholarship, conducted my first research project, and became the organic garden manager. From there, everything snowballed; I led workshops and tours and mentored students in the garden. I had the opportunity to do two summer internships, one leading to my current job, and lastly, I was introduced to a friend who pushed me towards the bees. The most important lesson I’ve learned thus far is to follow your passions, and sure, they’ll change as you go along, but eventually, hopefully, one or two will surface, and they will carry you. Once I chose the sciences, I knew I wanted to do something to help our planet and environment. I wasn’t exactly sure how but every class and book I read kept motivating me to find and create the connections.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Thankfully there’s so much to do in Miami, even a week isn’t enough time. Depending on when they are planning to travel, my big three would have to be the beach, the Everglades, and the Keys. It really wouldn’t change much because we have endless summers and mild winters, but if you come in the summer, I can promise fresh mangos. Each one of those requires a day or two, especially if there are mangos. Sprinkled in between would be all the hidden gems and watering holes that we locals try to keep secret. So If we’re on the beach, I like the foodcourt style of the TimeOut Market, there’s something for everyone, plus it’s within walking distance to the beach and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden – a perfect spot for reading, yoga, or a picnic. When the night hits, we can head to Wynwood for some Coyo Tacos to have the energy to party all night, bar hopping around the area is fun, especially when it’s art walk, it’s pure madness. As we recover from the hangover, we’re heading south to the Everglades, we’ll have to stop at Robert Is Here for a tropical fruit milkshake. I’d recommend mixing flavors, a personal favorite is mango and mamey. If the timing is right, we can do a swamp walk into a cypress dome and cleans all the debauchery from our system. Continuing south into the Keys, we’ll hit Lazy Days for late lunch or dinner, the best fish sandwiches. Then as we head back north, stop in at John Penny Camp for a snorkeling tour of the reefs or take a kayak out through the mangroves.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to say that it’s all because of the FIU South Florida Beekeeping Association and, more specifically, its founder and my good friend David Riera. David approached me in my last semester at FIU in 2018 as I finished my undergrad and recommended I take a beekeeping certification course. I’m a gardener first and foremost, so I was actually looking into a horticultural certificate to boost my credentials and experience, but a hurricane hit us and damaged the greenhouse, so they postponed the certificate. In comes David and the bees, so I pivoted and went for it. Honestly, I’m very thankful I ended up with the bees and the Association. It has strengthened my relationship with plants and made my connection to our environment more meaningful. I’d also have to thank the bees themselves; they have indeed been my best teacher. They helped me develop a deep understanding and compassion for every bee and the hive as a collective organism and really an appreciation for all pollinators. They formed my style of beekeeping with art, therapy, and education at the forefront.

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