Juste Jankauskienė , a beekeeper from Lithuania, has chosen a life deeply connected to nature. With a focus on sustainable beekeeping, her work is not about competing with large producers but about keeping her bees happy and healthy. To achieve this, she plants specific flowers that help her bees collect high-quality honey and promotes eco-friendly practices within her community. “We’re trying to be small, but in that sense, we’re trying to keep our bees happy,” Juste explains.
In addition to caring for her bees, Juste dedicates herself to educating her community about the importance of beekeeping. She participates in local fairs, where she teaches people about the ecological role of bees, how they produce honey, and why it is crucial to protect them. This educational effort also includes promoting innovative products like whipped honey. “We’re trying to go to these fairs and explain to them what bees do, how they do it, what’s going on, and the ecological side of keeping bees.”
However, Juste’s life as a beekeeper is not without its challenges. Balancing her work in the fields with family responsibilities is particularly difficult in summer when schools and kindergartens close. “It’s a massive issue. In summer, while the bees are collecting honey, you have to look after your children, and you don’t know where to put them. Grandparents are also working… It’s chaos,” she admits. While her older children are more independent, her youngest daughter requires constant attention, adding another layer of complexity to her already busy days.
Despite the difficulties, Juste finds joy and peace in working with bees. “I love being in nature, working with the bees, and just hearing all that buzz. It makes you so relaxed. And the smell of honey… it’s amazing.”
Juste is also part of Grass Ceiling, a network of entrepreneurial women that has provided her with invaluable knowledge and support. “I’m so happy to participate in Grass Ceiling. There are so many ladies who share all their knowledge. They give you a lot of advice on how to do this or that,” she says gratefully. This community has enabled her to access information that would otherwise be scattered and hard to find, strengthening her work and confidence.
Juste shows that beekeeping is not just an economic activity but a lifestyle combining sustainability, a connection to nature, and mutual support among women. Her message underscores the importance of valuing bees and fostering strong, supportive rural communities.