Scaling a beekeeping operation comes with unique challenges and opportunities, and in this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Minnesota beekeeper Ritchie Schaeffer shares his firsthand experience moving from hobbyist to sideliner. Starting in 2018 with just a few hives, Ritchie built B2B Honey into a successful business by seizing market opportun…

The U.S. beekeeping industry is facing a crisis. Honey bee losses have skyrocketed, with commercial beekeepers reporting an average of 62% colony losses since June, as reported by Project Apis m. At the same time, critical USDA bee research programs are being cut, raising concerns about how quickly the industry can recover. In this Beekeeping Today…

In this episode of the Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner series, we explore the business side of beekeeping with two beekeepers who successfully made the leap. Hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Tara Dawn Chapman of Two Hives Honey in Austin, Texas, and Jay Williams of Williams Honey Farm in Tennessee. Tara and Jay share their pers…

In today's BTP Short, we talk with John Miller, of Miller Honey, who's family has been in beekeeping for over 130 years, about this winter's honey bee losses. Is it real or hyped? John provides a lifetime perspective to the losses so many beekeepers (hobbyists, sideliners and commercial beekeepers) are experiencing this year. The numbers are real. …

Expanding a beekeeping operation brings new challenges, especially when it comes to processing and bottling honey efficiently. In this episode, Jeff and Becky continue their series on upscaling from hobbyist to sideliner beekeeping with a deep dive into honey house design and equipment. They welcome back John Rath, co-owner of Betterbee, who shares…

Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts brings you a quick dive into the latest buzz in beekeeping. In this first special episode, we welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani of Inside The Hive TV to discuss the alarming commercial colony losses reported this season. With beekeepers across the country facing unexpected die-offs, Humberto shares insights from his …

In the second episode of our February series, Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner Beekeeper, Jeff and Becky continue the conversation with returning guests Dr. Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck from Michigan State University. This week’s focus is on one of the most critical—and often costly—aspects of growing a beekeeping operation: equipment and logis…

Are you thinking about growing your beekeeping operation from hobbyist to sideliner? In this first episode of our February Upscaling Your Beekeeping series, Jeff and Becky sit down with two experienced beekeepers and educators, Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck, to explore what it takes to successfully expand your apiary. Meghan, an assistant professor …

In this episode, we welcome back the renowned Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping. Randy shares his latest insights and findings, offering practical advice and groundbreaking research for beekeepers of all experience levels. From breeding varroa-resistant honey bees to redesigning robbing screens and investigating oxalic acid applications, Randy …

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dara Scott, founder and managing director of HiveAlive, to dive deeper into his unique beekeeping practices in Ireland. Building on his previous appearance, Dara shares insights into his queen management program, the benefits of working with Apis mellifera mellifera, and how Ireland’s challenging weather…

In this captivating episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky sit down with Frederick Dunn, accomplished beekeeper, YouTube creator, and lifelong photographer. Fred shares his fascinating journey from documenting wildlife during his Navy career to becoming a dedicated educator in the beekeeping community. Fred discusses how his passion fo…

Kick off 2025 with an insightful conversation featuring Dr. David Peck, Director of Research and Education at Betterbee, as he joins Jeff and Becky to discuss the year’s hottest trends and challenges in beekeeping. From cutting-edge varroa control methods to potential impacts of the invasive yellow-legged hornet, this episode is packed with valuabl…

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of the biggest beekeeping events of the year. Tune in as we chat with industry leaders, researchers, and b…

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of the biggest beekeeping events of the year. Tune in as we chat with industry leaders, researchers, and b…

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of the biggest beekeeping events of the year. Tune in as we chat with industry leaders, researchers, and b…

Happy New Year from all of us at Beekeeping Today Podcast! In this special holiday episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Jim Tew, co-host of the Honey Bee Obscura Podcast, to reflect on beekeeping in 2024 and look forward to 2025. Together, they discuss New Year’s resolutions for the year ahead, from enhancing Varroa mite management p…

It’s the holiday season, and Jeff, Becky, and special guest Jim Tew from the Honey Bee Obscura Podcast are here to reflect on the year in beekeeping. From an unusually early spring to memorable moments with bees and family, they share personal stories and highlights from 2024. Jim recounts adventures in the bee yard with his grandson Will, while Be…

This week, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Priya Basu to discuss one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of beekeeping: honey bee nutrition. Priya shares her expertise on what it takes to keep colonies thriving, diving into the critical role of proteins, carbohydrates, and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Her approachable style …

Dr. Ramesh Sagili of Oregon State University joins Jeff and Becky to dive deep into the fascinating world of honey bee nutrition and its critical role in hive health. From the complexities of macronutrients and micronutrients to the development of a national pollen nutritional database, Ramesh shares insights from his groundbreaking research. He ex…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Marina Marchese, celebrated honey sommelier and author of The World Atlas of Honey. Marina shares her journey from backyard beekeeper to internationally recognized honey expert and educator. She discusses the fascinating concept of honey terroir, explaining how soil, climate, and floral sources influence…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Jeff Johnson, co-founder of Premier Bee Products, for a fascinating discussion on the innovations shaping modern beekeeping. Jeff Johnson shares how a quest for better foundation led to the creation of Puracell, a plastic foundation that mimics natural honeycomb with precise cell sizes and thinner cell walls,…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Rich Morris and Lorenzo Pons of Broodminder, the innovative team behind hive monitoring technology that’s helping beekeepers better understand their colonies. Rich and Lorenzo discuss the origins of Broodminder and how they’ve made high-tech hive monitoring accessible for beekeepers of all experience le…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Theresa Martin, author of Dead Bees Don’t Make Honey, as she shares insights into her distinctive approach to beekeeping. Theresa, who boasts an impressive 99% colony survival rate, attributes her success to a set of practical, research-informed techniques that prioritize colony health. From integrated pest m…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky bring together beekeepers from different regions across the U.S. to discuss the unique challenges they faced this past season. From Arizona’s intense heat to Washington’s unusually wet spring, our guests share insights into how varying climates impact bee health, honey production, and mite control. Duane in Arizona t…

In this final episode of our month-long Habitat Crisis series, made possible by the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Jeff and Becky are joined by Pete Berthelsen and Zac Browning to discuss the critical role habitat restoration plays in supporting honey bee health and overall pollinator well-being. Pete and Zac are leaders of The Bee and Butt…

In this third episode of our month-long Habitat Crisis series, made possible by the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Diana Cox-Foster from the USDA-ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit. Diana shares fascinating insights from her research on the complex interactions between honey bees and native pollinators, r…

In the second episode of our month-long series on the Habitat Crisis, made possible by the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. Andony Melathopoulos from Oregon State University. Andony brings his extensive knowledge of honey bee and wild bee health to the conversation, focusing on the critical role habitat plays …

In this episode, Jeff and Becky kick off a month-long series on the habitat crisis, made possible by the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, with special guest Dr. Gabriela Quinlan, an integrative ecologist focused on honey bee and pollinator nutrition. Gabriela shares her expertise on how habitat quality impacts bee health, emphasizing the impo…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Sarah Red-Laird, founder and co-director of Bee Regenerative, formerly known as the Bee Girl Organization. Sarah shares insights into her journey from founding the Bee Girl Organization to leading impactful regenerative agriculture projects that benefit pollinators. Listeners will hear about the challen…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Peter Borst, author of The Golden Age of Beekeeping. Peter shares fascinating insights into the history of beekeeping, exploring how the industry evolved from a disorganized practice into a standardized and structured operation. He explains why the period from the 1860s to 1920 is often referred to as b…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Tracy Farone, a large animal veterinarian who has applied her expertise to honey bees. Tracy shares her journey from caring for cows and horses to becoming a go-to resource for honey bee health. She dives into the importance of viewing bees as livestock and how a veterinarian’s approach to animal ca…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Cliff Struhl, CEO of BeeSmart Designs, for an engaging conversation about innovation in beekeeping equipment. Cliff shares his unique journey into beekeeping, which began with a simple favor for a friend and quickly evolved into a passion for creating smarter, more efficient beekeeping tools. Cliff discusses …

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dara Scott, CEO and founder of HiveAlive, to discuss his journey in beekeeping and the innovative products his company offers. Dara shares how his fascination with beekeeping began over 25 years ago, inspired by his travels in New Zealand. His background in marine research at the prestigious Woods Hole Oceano…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Etienne Tardiff, a beekeeper from the Yukon, who shares his unique approach to wintering bees in some of the coldest climates imaginable. Etienne, blending his engineering background with hands-on experience, discusses the importance of managing temperature and insulation within the hive during long, ha…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Kamon Reynolds, the beekeeper behind the North American Honey Bee Expo. Kamon shares his journey from a young beekeeper to managing a full-time business and organizing a major beekeeping conference. Listeners will learn about Kamon’s strategies for managing queen issues, including the importance of havi…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea to discuss some groundbreaking developments in the fight against varroa mites. Dr. Pettis, a renowned research scientist with over 20 years of experience at the USDA and current president of Apimondia, brings his extensive knowledge of honey bee health and the challenges…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Jay Evans from the USDA-ARS Beltsville Bee Lab. Jay shares his vast experience and insights into honey bee research, focusing on the critical issues affecting beekeepers today. From his beginnings studying ants to his current role in bee research, Jay offers a fascinating perspective on the complexities o…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. Jim Tew to discuss the little nagging issues every beekeeper face, humorously termed "bee peeves." Jim, a seasoned beekeeper and co-host of the Honey Bee Obscura podcast, brings his extensive experience and wit to the conversation, making this episode both enlightening and entertaining. Jim shares h…

In this engaging episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Frank Linton, a seasoned beekeeper and author with a deep passion for observation hives. Frank shares his unique journey into beekeeping, sparked by his grandfather's influence and reignited years later with his first observation hive. Listeners will be captivated by Frank's enthusiasm and extensive …

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Andy Pedley, a retired Environmental Health Officer and experienced beekeeper from the UK. Andy shares his extensive knowledge on food safety in the context of honey production, an often overlooked but critical aspect of beekeeping. With over 30 years of beekeeping experience, Andy provides invaluable i…

In this episode, hosts Jeff and Becky chat with Brooke Decker and Natasha Garcia-Anderson from the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA). Brooke and Natasha share their extensive knowledge and experiences as regulatory officials dedicated to supporting beekeepers and maintaining bee health across North America. Brooke, the Pollinator Health Specialist…

In this episode, hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman sit down with John Hill, the innovative force behind HillCo Bees, a quickly emerging player in the beekeeping equipment industry. John shares his inspiring journey from a young enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur, offering listeners a unique insight into the rapid growth and development of his…

In this insightful episode of the Beekeeping Today Podcast, hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Master Beekeeper David Burns. David, a well-known figure in the beekeeping community, shares his extensive knowledge and experiences, offering invaluable advice for beekeepers of all levels. From his early, adventurous beginnings to becoming an EA…

During this seventh year anniversary week of the podcast, we bring you this special memorial episode honoring our former co-host, colleague, and dear friend, Kim Flottum, who passed away in December 10, 2023. This episode is dedicated to celebrating Kim’s remarkable life and his immense contributions to the beekeeping community. Join hosts Jeff Ott…

Welcome to a special episode of the Beekeeping Today Podcast, presented by Betterbee. As we kick off our seventh year and celebrate the first day of Pollinator Week, we are thrilled to bring you a conversation filled with insights and stories that highlight the importance of pollinators in our ecosystems. In this episode, Jeff and Becky delve into …

(281) Join us in this episode as we delve into the sophisticated world of beekeeping record management, focusing on the innovative platform, HiveTracks! Explore the capabilities of HiveTracks—a mobile app and cloud-based system designed to streamline beekeeping management. Our dialogue with James Wilkes and Max Rünzel, the visionaries behind HiveTr…

In this episode, Jeff and Becky delve into the groundbreaking development of the first American Foulbrood (AFB) vaccine for honeybees with Annette Kleiser, co-founder of Dalan Animal Health, and Tim Ferris, a commercial beekeeper based in Pennsylvania and New Zealand. Annette shares her journey from concept to market, highlighting the challenges fa…

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dr. Christina Grozinger, a distinguished researcher from Penn State University, who delves into her extensive work on bee behavior, genetics, and the vital role of nutrition in bee health. As the director of the Center for Pollinator Research, Dr. Grozinger offers invaluable insights into the complexit…

In this fun episode of our podcast, we're diving deep into the topics of bee health and maximizing honey production with insights from Steve Donohoe and Paul Horton, seasoned beekeepers from the UK. These experts share their pioneering strategies detailed in their new book, Healthy Bees, Heavy Hives, aimed at enhancing hive productivity and bee wel…

(#277) In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of honey bee virology with Dr. Michelle Flenniken from Montana State University. As a seasoned researcher specializing in honey bee viruses, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge that's both enlightening and essential for understanding the health challenges our bees face. This episode is pac…