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Joll Gomez, previously a real estate agent and finance collector on the busy streets of Tagum City PH, now cultivates a quieter life managing hives in Minnesota, USA. Since 2015, he has embraced beekeeping, sharing his experiences and learnings on his widely followed Facebook page, King Bee PH.

Driven by economic challenges and the prospect of international work, Joll ventured into beekeeping. Encouraged by his friend Joshua Travilla, who discovered the job listing, and his supervisor Bjun Salting, who invited him to join beekeeping due to an employer posting on Facebook, Joll explains, “Due to financial hardships and a desire to work abroad, I pursued beekeeping training and secured a position through a job listing on Facebook.” This significant shift marked not just a career change but a complete lifestyle transformation..

The H-2A visa served as Joll’s entryway to employment in the USA. (The H-2A visa is a temporary agricultural program that allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill seasonal agricultural jobs for which U.S. workers are not available.) “The H-2A visa program was a turning point, enabling me to achieve my American dream,” says Joll. The income from this opportunity helped him finance significant investments back in the Philippines, including building apartments and grocery stores, boosting his family’s financial standing.

Joll enjoys the daily routine and travel that his new role offers. “Traveling around Minnesota to manage bee populations is the best part of my job,” he remarks. This task ensures effective pollination across the region, crucial for local agriculture. “I’m passionate about beekeeping and take pride in working at Wilmer Honey Farms,” he adds.

Despite being thousands of miles from the Philippines, Joll has found a second family in Minnesota’s Filipino community. He appreciates the warm welcome and active social life, noting, “We are included in events and invited to church every Sunday,” which helps mitigate the homesickness.

In the U.S., the beekeeping industry operates on a much larger scale than in the Philippines, presenting Joll with new challenges. As one of the crew leaders in his area in Minnesota, he manages 3,000 to 5,000 hives, necessitating a quick adjustment to a more dynamic working environment. “Beekeeping here is far more intense due to the sheer scale of operations,” he observes.

Joll advises those considering beekeeping abroad to carefully evaluate the personal sacrifices required. “Are you ready to make that sacrifice?” he asks, highlighting the need for physical, emotional and mental preparation. He also suggests researching the local culture and beekeeping techniques to ensure a smooth transition.

Joll’s transition from Tagum, PH to Minnesota, USA is not merely a career change but a pursuit of new dreams and contributions to global agricultural sustainability. His story reflects the resilience needed to adapt and thrive in a new cultural and professional landscape.