Shows
Beekeeping Today PodcastBee Health, Research, and Real-World Beekeeping with Dr. Jeff PettisIn this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back one of the most influential voices in modern honey bee health research, Dr. Jeff Pettis. A longtime USDA-ARS scientist and former president of Apimondia, Jeff Pettis joins the show to reflect on decades of research while offering a candid look at how he actually keeps bees today. The conversation begins with updates on Jeff's transition away from Apimondia leadership and into a more focused phase of consulting, mentoring, and hands-on beekeeping. He shares insights from his ongoing work with Tropilaelaps mites, including what...
2026-01-0543 minBeekeeping Today PodcastEnd of Year Wrap-Up: Lessons from 2025 and Looking AheadAs the year comes to a close, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Dr. David Peck for a wide-ranging end-of-year conversation reflecting on the highs, lows, and lessons of beekeeping in 2025. From disruptive winter losses and evolving varroa pressures to promising new tools and treatments on the horizon, this episode takes a clear-eyed look at where beekeeping stands today. The discussion opens with a listener question about siting bee yards, sparking a thoughtful exploration of how to evaluate apiary locations and approach landowners about hosting colonies. Drawing on real-world experience, Jeff, Becky, and David share...
2025-12-2956 min
Beekeeping Today PodcastHoliday Special with Jim Tew - The Promise of BeesThis Holiday Special episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast brings together Jeff Ott, Becky Masterman, and Dr. Jim Tew from Honey Bee Obscura, for a warm, thoughtful conversation about bees, beekeeping, and reflection during Christmas week. With a special Santa Claus opener returning for another year, the episode sets a festive tone before settling into practical winter-season observations and the deeper meaning beekeeping brings this time of year. Jim shares insights into what honey bees are doing right now in winter clusters, how beekeepers can read subtle signs of life without opening hives, and why snow can sometimes...
2025-12-2243 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBees First, Honey Second with AJ & Chryssa GardnerThis week on Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome AJ and Chryssa Gardner of REBEL44 to discuss an approach to beekeeping rooted in stewardship rather than production. What began as a small garden project quickly evolved into a carefully managed sideline operation now spanning multiple apiaries and more than a hundred colonies. AJ shares how observing bee behavior—and listening closely to what the bees "tell you"—shaped his management philosophy. Rather than focusing on maximizing honey yields, AJ emphasizes nutrition, gentle genetics, low mite pressure, and allowing colonies to overwinter on their own term...
2025-12-1557 min
Beekeeping Today Podcast[Bonus] Short - Inside the Ohio State Beekeepers Association with Jamie WaltersIn this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff Ott sits down with Jamie Walters, President of the Ohio State Beekeepers Association (OSBA), during the organization's annual conference in Wooster, Ohio. Jamie shares how OSBA continues to thrive after the challenges of recent years, including the rebound of volunteerism and mentorship following COVID. Under his leadership, the 2025 conference brought together 37 vendors, 280 attendees, and an impressive lineup of speakers including Dr. Tracy Farone, Fred Dunn, and Dr. Chia Lin from Ohio State University. The discussion highlights the OSBA's dedication to education and outreach—covering new hands-on workshops in wax...
2025-11-1216 minBeekeeping Today PodcastSpecial Message and Archive Special - Darren Mays, NYPD BeekeeperJeff and Becky have a special message for Beekeeping Today Podcast listeners! After decades of managing their own bees and many lessons learned on their beekeeping journeys, they're thrilled to announce that Beekeeping Today is taking the next step — into print. Their forthcoming book, "Beekeeping Today: Your First Year of Beekeeping," brings together personal experiences, insightful lessons, and advice shared on the show, on how to get started with bees and through the first year. And now they'd love your help! Listeners are invited to submit beekeeping photos for possible inclusion in the book — from bees at work...
2025-11-1047 min
Beekeeping Today Podcast[Bonus] Short - Remembering A.I. Root in Medina, OhioIn this special Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff and Dr. Jim Tew, from Honey Bee Obscura podcast, take listeners on a reflective visit to the A.I. Root family gravesite in Medina, Ohio — the resting place of Amos Ives Root, the man whose name and innovations helped shape modern beekeeping. Standing among the generations of the Root family, Jeff and Jim discuss the far-reaching influence of A.I. Root, from his first fascination with a swarm on the Medina town square to his pioneering work in beekeeping equipment, candle making, and publishing Gleanings in Bee Culture. ...
2025-11-0511 minBeekeeping Today PodcastNorroa: A New Era in Varroa ManagementVarroa mites remain the most destructive pest facing honey bees today—but a revolutionary new treatment may finally shift the balance. In this episode, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Adam Pachl, North American Technical Manager for Bee Health at GreenLight Biosciences, to discuss Norroa, the first EPA-approved dsRNA-based treatment for Varroa mites. Norroa introduces a fundamentally new approach: instead of killing mites outright, it prevents them from reproducing. Adam explains how this RNA interference (RNAi) technology works at the molecular level, blocking the mites' ability to lay viable eggs without harming honey bees or other or...
2025-10-2750 min
Beekeeping Today Podcast[Bonus] Short - Inside Bee Culture Magazine: Medina's Beekeeping LegacyIn this special Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff visits the historic A.I. Root Company headquarters in Medina, Ohio—the home of Bee Culture Magazine. Sitting down with the magazine's production team—Jerry Hayes, Jen Manis, and Stephanie Bayerl—Jeff explores what it takes to bring each monthly issue to life. Listeners get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how articles, design, photography, and advertising all come together to create the trusted magazine so many beekeepers rely on. From article coordination and layout design to QR-coded audio features and digital engagement, this conversation celebrates Bee Culture's 150-year legacy of edu...
2025-10-2217 minBeekeeping Today PodcastFall Honey SalesIt's harvest season—and for many beekeepers, that means it's time to sell honey! In this week's episode, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman dig into the rewarding (and sometimes sticky) process of marketing and selling your honey crop. From fall festivals to farm stands, Becky shares her experiences at local events, state fairs, and new retail partnerships, including the launch of her own MastermanApiaries.com website. Jeff talks about scaling Olympia Honey Company and how local markets, branding, and customer relationships have helped him create a sustainable beekeeping business. Together, they explore the fun, challenges, and le...
2025-10-2047 minBeekeeping Today PodcastRegional Beekeepers Fall Roundtable 2025In this special Beekeeping Today Podcast roundtable, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman gather an inspiring group of regional beekeepers from across the U.S. to share how their colonies fared through the 2025 season and what they're doing to prepare for winter. Joining the table are Ang Roell (They Keep Bees, Massachusetts), Bonnie Morse (Bonnie Bee & Company, California), Duane Combs (Arizona Beekeepers LLC), Jay Williams (Williams Honey Farm, Tennessee), and Paul Longwell (Washington). Each regional voice brings a unique perspective on this year's challenges—heat and drought in the Southwest, unpredictable blooms in the Pacific Northwest, and ex...
2025-10-1343 minBeekeeping Today PodcastFall Management Tips with Jim TewFall is one of the most critical times in the beekeeping calendar, and in this episode Jeff and Becky welcome Jim Tew of Honey Bee Obscura for a lively and practical discussion about preparing colonies for winter. The conversation starts with a listener's question about quilt boxes—what to put in them, how they work, and whether wood shavings, insulation, or even moisture boards are best. Jim, Jeff, and Becky share their own experiences and lessons learned about managing moisture and heat in the hive, with some humorous nods to past beekeeping misadventures. From there, th...
2025-10-0649 minBeekeeping Today PodcastCorporate Beekeeping at Scale with Best Bees' Delaney DameronIn this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Delaney Dameron, CEO of Best Bees, to explore the growing field of corporate beekeeping. Delaney shares how Best Bees manages nearly 2,000 hives across 24 cities, installing colonies on rooftops and properties for businesses, universities, and homeowners committed to sustainability and pollinator health. Delaney explains how Best Bees uses its proprietary data system, Bzzz, to collect and analyze the world's largest standardized beekeeping dataset. This information drives research partnerships with universities and nonprofits, providing insights into colony health, forage diversity, and the impact of urban and...
2025-09-2251 minBeekeeping Today PodcastShaping the Future of Beekeeping with Kamon ReynoldsIn this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Kamon Reynolds, Tennessee beekeeper and founder of the North American Honeybee Expo (NAHBE). Kamon shares how he balances managing over 150 colonies with organizing one of the largest beekeeping events in North America. Kamon discusses the logistics of moving bees to Wisconsin for basswood honey flows, keeping mite loads low through early-season oxalic acid slow release treatments, and maintaining young queens to build resilient colonies. He reflects on the challenges of dearth periods in the South, creative solutions like late splits and comb drawing, and the lessons learned...
2025-09-1555 minBeekeeping Today PodcastTop-Bar Beekeeping with Vikki AtkinsonIn this milestone 350th episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Vikki Atkinson of Pennsylvania to share her deep experience managing over 100 Top-Bar hives. Vikki walks listeners through the unique design of Top-Bar hives, from follower boards and shims to the angled sides that encourage natural comb building. She explains how handling bars like a "steering wheel" prevents comb breakage, and why level placement is critical to success. With candor and clarity, she outlines both the advantages—lighter lifts, less colony disturbance, and beautiful natural comb—and the challenges, including cross-comb management and the...
2025-09-0852 min
Beekeeping Today Podcast[Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatment Options - Formic AcidIn this Varroa Treatments short, Jeff Ott and co-host Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. David Peck from Betterbee to discuss formic acid—a powerful tool in the fight against varroa mites. David explains how Formic Pro, the most common formic acid product now available in the U.S., is formulated to safely release vapors that penetrate capped brood cells, killing mites both on adult bees and developing brood. David and Becky highlight both the strengths and cautions: formic acid's ability to deliver a fast, thorough mite knockdown, its temperature sensitivity, and its potential to cause temporary brood lo...
2025-08-1321 min
Beekeeping Today Podcast[Bonus] Short - Varroa Treatment Options: Series IntroductionIn this first episode of our Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts series on varroa mites, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to lay the foundation for an important multi-part series. Varroa mites continue to be the most damaging pest to honey bee colonies worldwide. In this introduction, the trio covers the biology and lifecycle of varroa, the damage they inflict, and why routine monitoring and informed treatment choices are critical for beekeepers. David explains how varroa mites reproduce inside brood cells and evade detection, riding under the bees' abdominal plates where...
2025-07-0920 minBeekeeping Today PodcastSummer Management Tips with Jim TewIn this lively episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dr. Jim Tew, host of Honey Bee Obscura and longtime beekeeper, for an unscripted conversation on the quirks, questions, and quiet joys of summer beekeeping. With decades of experience and a healthy dose of humor, Jim reflects on managing colonies during the busy season—when things rarely go to plan. From ants nesting under hive covers to quirky package bee behavior and the eternal struggle of running out of supers, Jim offers practical advice laced with storytelling. He shares his experiences with package installs, queen releases, and how he...
2025-06-0258 minBeekeeping Today PodcastFlowHive's SuperLifter with Creator Cedar AndersonBeekeeping has evolved significantly over the years, and few innovations have sparked as much conversation as the Flow Hive. In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Flow Hive co-founder, Cedar Anderson, who shares exciting updates on their latest innovation—the Superlifter. Designed to make hive inspections easier and more accessible for beekeepers of all experience levels, the Superlifter allows for effortless lifting of heavy honey supers, reducing strain on beekeepers' backs and improving hive management. Cedar shares the journey behind this invention, including years of prototyping and refining the design. With a simple, easy-to-use system, the Su...
2025-03-2446 min
Beekeeping Today Podcast[Bonus] Short - Colony and USDA Losses with AHPA's President Steve CoyThe 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 Podcast BONUS episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman sit down with Steven Coy, president of the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA) and co-owner of the Coy Bee Company, to discuss the severity of the losses and what they mean for beekeepers...
2025-02-2517 minBeekeeping Today PodcastUpscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner - The BusinessIn 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 personal journeys—both of which began outside of agriculture—detailing their challenges, missteps, and the pivotal moments that shaped their businesses. From scaling their apiaries to diversifying their revenue streams, they offer practical advice for beekeepers looking to turn...
2025-02-2448 minBeekeeping Today PodcastNew Years Resolutions - 2025Happy 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 practices to streamlining honey production and storage. Jeff shares his focus on strengthening colonies through rigorous mite management, while Jim reflects on adapting to "age-related beekeeping," embracing technology like Bluetooth hive monitoring, and stepping back from physically demanding tasks like...
2024-12-3022 minBeekeeping Today PodcastThe Propola Hive with Jeff JohnsonIn 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, designed to promote healthier colonies. Listeners will hear about the years of research and meticulous measurements that went into developing this foundation, giving bees the most natural environment possible within the hive. The episode also dives into Premier Bee's latest development: the Propola...
2024-11-2549 minBeekeeping Today PodcastMonitoring the Hive with Broodminder's Rich and LorenzoIn 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 levels. They share how Broodminder's devices provide insights into brood levels, colony productivity, and even hive weight—essential indicators of colony health. Listeners will also get a sneak peek into Broodminder's newest venture, BeeTV. This upcoming technology aims to monitor varroa mites inside the hive with an...
2024-11-1857 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDr. Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea: New Varroa TreatmentIn 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 faced by beekeepers worldwide. Carlos Perea, CEO and founder of Terra Vera, shares the innovative journey of his company in developing sustainable agricultural solutions and their unexpected breakthrough in varroa mite control. Listeners will learn about Terra Vera's exciting new technology...
2024-08-1247 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBee-Peeves (289)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 his thoughts on the perennial problem of keeping smoker fuel dry and having it on hand when needed most. He humorously recounts times when running out of fuel in the middle of an inspection led to frantic searches for leaves and twigs...
2024-07-2952 minBeekeeping Today PodcastJohn Hill of HillCo BeesIn 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 company. Listeners will how he got started in bees and learn about the early challenges John faced starting his business, including his initial foray into manufacturing hive boxes with minimal resources. His persistence paid off as he gradually improved his designs and...
2024-07-0151 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDavid Burns - YouTube and EAS Master BeekeeperIn 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 EAS Master Beekeeper, David's journey is both inspiring and educational. David discusses his initial, challenging experience of cutting bees out of a fallen tree, which led him to a lifelong passion for beekeeping. His story is a testament to perseverance and self-education in the world of beekeeping...
2024-06-2446 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPodcast Memorial to Kim FlottumDuring 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, Becky Masterman, and Honey Bee Obscura's, Jim Tew, as they reflect on Kim's enduring legacy. This heartfelt tribute includes touching memories and stories shared by friends, colleagues, and family members during Kim's memorial service held in April in Medina, Ohio. Hear from Kim's friends those...
2024-06-1914 minBeekeeping Today PodcastChristy Payne - Urban Beekeeping for Hire(#274) Welcome to this informative episode of the "Beekeeping Today Podcast," featuring a detailed discussion with Christy Payne from Collinsville, Oklahoma. This episode is designed to provide both new and experienced beekeepers with insights into advanced beekeeping practices and the integration of beekeeping within corporate environments. In our conversation, Christy Payne shares her journey into beekeeping which began from the necessity to improve pollination in her garden and expanded to her becoming a key figure in urban beekeeping at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tulsa. Listeners will benefit from her experiences in managing hives in a corporate setting...
2024-04-2238 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPiping Hot Bees with Dr. Thomas D. Seeley(#271) In this enlightening episode of the Beekeeping Today Podcast, hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Thomas Seeley, a celebrated biologist and author, to discuss his latest book, "Piping Hot Bees & Boisterous Buzz Runners: 20 Mysteries of Honey Bees Solved." Dr. Seeley shares his deep fascination with the individual behaviors of worker bees and how their collective actions contribute to the colony's success. The conversation delves into the intricate world of bee communication, particularly during the swarming process, revealing how scout bees signal to their counterparts to prepare for the journey to a new home. This discussion also touches...
2024-04-0143 minBeekeeping Today PodcastHow To Get Started With Bees in 2024, 1 of 4(#265) Welcome to a new chapter in beekeeping with the Beekeeping Today Podcast, presented by Betterbee. In today's special episode, "How to Get Started with Bees in 2024, Part 1," we kick off a four-week series revisiting and expanding upon our 2020 foundational series for beekeepers. Jeff Ott, alongside co-hosts Becky Masterman and Jim Tew from the Honeybee Obscura, delve into the evolving world of beekeeping, addressing the challenges faced by new beekeepers, with practical advice honed by years of experience. This episode, part one of the updated series, emphasizes the importance of understanding beekeeping's challenges and rewards. Despite increased difficulties...
2024-02-1938 minBeekeeping Today PodcastNew Year's Archive Special: Two Queen Honey Production Happy New Year! As we embark on a new year, often marked by resolutions, we're excited to present a New Year's Archive Special. Join Jeff and Becky as they revisit Jeff's and Kim's insightful interview with Colorado beekeeper Tom Theobald, in 2021. While Tom might not be the inventor of the two-queen colony management system for increasing honey yields, his refinements to the technique are remarkable. If boosting honey production is on your 2024 agenda, this episode is for you! Tom ran a modest commercial beekeeping operation in Colorado during the late 1970s, managing around 200 colonies. He...
2024-01-0142 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBee Conspiracy with Author David BoitoIn pop culture, beekeepers are generally portrayed as quirky side characters. There are exceptions, of course. The movie Ullee's Gold with Peter Fonda, comes to mind, as does The Secret Life of Bees, first as a novel and later a movie. Now, there is a new book where both bees and an entomologist are the subject, victim, and heros! Today, author and screenwriter, David Boito, join Jeff and Becky to talk about his newly released book, Bee Conspiracy. David talks about why he chose the characters he did and why he set bees as both the focus...
2023-10-2334 minBeekeeping Today PodcastRooftop Beekeeping with the Bee Buddies in ChicagoOn today's episode, guest cohost Becky Masterman, PhD, joins Jeff to talk with Al Renslow, who lives at a Chicago senior living community, The Admiral at the Lake. Al, a retired schoolteacher turned beekeeper, has assembled a corp of like-minded 'bee-lievers', who refer to themselves as The Admiral Bee Buddies. Al developed this hobby as a passion project, a way to learn new skills and contribute to the environment. As a bonus, he now has an outlet that benefits his mental well-being! Al launched The Admiral's beekeeping program in 2019 based on his belief that we must be...
2023-10-0939 minBeekeeping Today PodcastRaising Resilient Bees with Eric and Joy McEwenWelcome to another episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast! This week, we're excited to host Joy and Eric McEwen, the authors behind the recently released book, "Raising Resilient Bees." The McEwens offer a natural and sustainable model that focuses on hive health and prioritizes the well-being of the bee over the beekeeper. We chat about their book as well as their approach to beekeeping which places emphasis on a system of management that works with the honey bee as opposed to against it, including a natural nest hive design. But this isn't all just for the backyard beekeeper...
2023-09-1149 minBeekeeping Today PodcastArchive Special: Long Hives with Tina SebestyenWhile Jeff and Kim are taking time this week to tend their bees, we bring you this Archive Special from May of 2021. In this third installment of our five-part Hive Types Series, we talk with Colorado Master Beekeeper and columnist Tina Sebestyen about the Long or Horizontal Langstroth. Horizontal hives are very much like the traditional Langstroth hives, which are vertical stacks of boxes, except horizontal hives are only one box high and about three boxes long. The very best thing about horizontal hives is that you never have to lift a very heavy box off the...
2023-09-0444 minBeekeeping Today PodcastThe Mind of a Bee with Dr. Lars ChittkaWe are excited to bring you this packed episode. We start with Jeff talking with Becky Masterman, from the Minnesota Honey Producers Assn. about the USDA-ARS National Publication 305 (NP-305) and its importance. Next Jeff and Kim talk with Dr. Lars Chittka about his book, The Mind of a Bee. Becky Masterman has been on the podcast before and we enjoy having her back to discuss the USDA-ARS NP-305. The NP-305 sets the research priorities for the USDA-ARS for the next five years. Right now and until August 7, the USDA-ARS is soliciting beekeeper feedback and comments on where...
2023-07-2453 minBeekeeping Today PodcastThe National Honey Board, American Honey Princess & more!In today's episode, we have two guests, both deep in the promotion of honey and honey bees. First up, Jeff talks with Allison Hager, the 2023 American Honey Princess, and then we talk with Keith Seiz, of the National Honey Board (NHB) and how they are promoting the use of honey and how this benefits beekeepers across the United States. First up, we learn about the American Beekeeping Federation Honey Queen program. This program selects an ambassador to represent the beekeeping industry, promoting honey and educating the public about the importance of bees. Jeff talks with Allison Hager...
2023-07-1754 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPrecision Beekeeping with Nectar Technologies' Max Cherney & Nico Coallier (S6, E03)On today's show, Jeff chats with Max Cherney and Nico Coallier. Max is the Chief Operating Officer and Nico the Principal Data Scientist of Nectar Technologies. Max joined us back in Season 4, along with Washington State University's Dr. Rae Olson. The combination of Nectar's products: a NFC/QR tag, portable app and a management portal helps the owner manage their operation with a single comprehensive view. Max and Nico join us from their Montreal base, but they spend most of the season across North America working with commercial beekeepers perfecting their precision beekeeping solution. Listen today and...
2023-07-0348 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBanking Queens with Dr. Brandon HopkinsOn today's episode, we welcome Dr Brandon Hopkins of Washington State University back to the podcast to talk about his recent research on the benefits of indoor banking of honey bee queens in temperature-controlled storage facilities. Traditionally, queens are banked in small nucs in yards throughout the summer. Queen banking refers to the practice of preserving and storing surplus queen bees for use later in the season. This process allows queen breeders (both backyard and commercial) to maintain a constant supply of healthy and productive queens. By drawing on banked queens, beekeepers can address a range of...
2023-06-1245 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBeekeeper Confidential with Mandy ShawOn today's episode, Jeff and Kim talk with Mandy Shaw of the Beekeeper Confidential podcast. Mandy is a Portland, OR, beekeeper, active with the Portland Urban Beekeepers Association as President and other roles. We talk with her today about her background and love for honey bees, her podcast Beekeeper Confidential, why she started it, and what she has learned. Finally, we talk with Mandy about her beekeeper clothing line and what exactly sets it apart from other clothing available to beekeepers. Also in this episode, Ed Colby returns with another story from his book, "A...
2023-05-0144 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBee Research Update In Germany with Dr. Kirsten TraynorThe last time we talked with Dr. Kirsten Traynor she had just started her new role in Germany. On today's episode we catch up with Kirsten and learn what research her students are conducting in Germany, at the University of Hohenheim, just outside Stuttgard. Of particular interest is the current research on the use of Lithium Chloride (LiCl) as a treatment against beekeepers number one foe - Varroa! We also learn a bit about the beekeeping practices in Germany and the future of Kirsten's 2 Million Blossom's podcast. We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments...
2023-01-3035 minBeekeeping Today PodcastThe Pollinators with Director Peter Nelson - 2022 Holiday ReplayPeter Nelson is a filmmaker, director and beekeeper. This combination of skills and passions lead to a documentary film about the business and lives of pollinators - both the two legged and six legged kind! The documentary, The Pollinators is currently making its rounds through the film festivals where it has been well received and enjoyed by all audiences. In this Holiday Replay episode, Peter joins Jeff and Kim to discuss the making of his documentary. Peter discusses his experiences following and filming the beekeepers, farmers, environmentalists and even world renown chefs as they discuss the importance...
2022-12-261h 01Beekeeping Today PodcastDr. Jeff Pettis - Apimondia 2022 In Review & MoreDr. Jeff Pettis returns to Beekeeping Today Podcast with an update of this past September's Apimondia Congress, in Turkey. Jeff was selected President of Apimondia when they last met in Canada three years ago. His goal was to hit the road running by planning a spectacular event in Russia for 2021. Between Covid and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, lots of things got in the way of that plan and the 2021 meeting was moved to Istanbul, Turkey in 2022. The location was chosen because Istanbul was a familiar location for the group, and travel to there from almost anywhere...
2022-12-1243 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBroadcom MASTERS® Award Winner - Rory HuOn today's show, Jeff talks with Rory Hu, the $10,000 winner of the Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science MASTERS® Scholarship for middle school students. MASTERS is an acronym for Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars. Rory's research is titled "The Effects of Pesticides, Caffeine and Tea Polyphenols on the Visual and Olfactory Learning and Memory of the Honey Bee". Being in middle school, Rory is in the seventh grade. That is correct - seventh grade! On today's episode, Rory talks with Jeff explaining how she came up with the idea for her research, the p...
2022-11-1425 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDr. Samuel Ramsey - Fall 2022 UpdatesOn today's episode, we welcome back the good friend of the podcast, Dr. Samuel Ramsey. Also joining us today is Dr. Jim Tew, sitting in this week for Kim Flottum. Sammy joins Jeff and Jim to talk about his recent move from Maryland to Boulder, Colorado, where he is now the Endowed Professor of Entomology at CU Boulder's BioFrontiers Institute and the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department. Sammy also brings us up-to-date on the research on the Tropilaelaps mite in Thailand and how it could impact beekeepers around the world, should it take the path of the...
2022-11-0744 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBee Time with Mark WinstonMark Winston joins us on today's episode. Mark just retired from Simon Frazer University in British Columbia. For many years his research focused on honey bees, beekeeping and agriculture. For about a decade he was a regular contributor to Bee Culture magazine, where he explored the biology of honey bees, and the sociality of beekeepers. His writings include the books The Biology of The Honey Bee, Killer Bees, Nature Wars (his observations on agricultural pesticides), From Where I Sit: Essays on Bees, Beekeeping and Science, Travels in Genetically Modified Crops (his perspectives on genetically modified plants) and...
2022-09-1234 minBeekeeping Today PodcastArchive Special: Katarina Davitt - Bananas and BeesIn this archive special episode from November, 2020, Master Beekeeper, Katharina Davitt reveals the nutritional benefits honey bees derive from bananas. Yes, you read that correctly, bananas! We all know that bananas are good for people. They are full of carbs, minerals, vitamins, are good for digestion and just taste good. But the one thing all beekeepers learn when they start out is that when bees are threatened, they release alarm pheromone and that smells like bananas. So up to now, wise beekeepers didn't bring bananas to the bee yard. But it turns out feeding bananas...
2022-08-2255 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBeyond Pesticides with Jay FeldmanThis week, Kim and Jeff talk with Jay Feldman, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Beyond Pesticides. Beyond Pesticides is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., which works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides. Beyond Pesticides provides visitors to their website a wealth of information to help folks understand, truly understand, the chemicals they apply around their house and garden in order to eradicate pests. Perhaps the best is Beyond Pesticide's ManageSafe™ Tool. Using ManageSafe, a homeowner can select the pest th...
2022-08-0150 minBeekeeping Today PodcastRegeneron Science Talent Search Finalist - Amara OrthFirst up on today's podcast, Jeff talks with Maya Ajmera, CEO of the Society for Science who along with the pharmaceutical company Regeneron, host an annual science contest for high school seniors. Maya talks with Jeff about the contest and what it takes and means to be a finalist! Next Kim and Jeff talk with Amara Orth. Amara lives on her family farm in Glenwood Iowa, near Council Bluffs. Her parents have 25 colonies and her grandfather has a couple thousand colonies. She's been around bees her whole life. Amara graduated from high school this spring and will...
2022-06-2743 minBeekeeping Today PodcastAsian Giant Hornet and Indoor Wintering Research with Dr. Kelly KulhanekDr. Kelly Kulhanek recently moved to Pullman, WA., where she has started her work there on assisting with the Asian Giant Hornet research. In addition to this she is working with the research on indoor wintering of honey bees for commercial beekeepers. All of this will help her with her new role as extension specialist for WSU. In today's episode, Kelly talk with Kim and Jeff about the current status of the Asian Giant Hornet in Washington State and the steps state beekeepers can do to prepare for the possibility this of invasive pest. Additionally, WSU has...
2022-06-2039 minBeekeeping Today PodcastProfessional Bike Racer and Beekeeper - Maghalie RochetteThis week we talk with professional bike racer, Maghalie Rochette, from Quebec, Canada. She is good. Really good. Maghalie came in 2nd in the Canadian National Championships, September, 2021; Is three-times Canadian Cyclocross Champion, three-times Pan American Cyclocross Champion and a Cyclocross World Cup winner. She has her sights set on greater goals this season! But what, you may be asking, does this have to do with beekeeping? Good question! We all know we beekeepers are a generally thought of as being a bit odd to most other people. Admittedly, most people think anyone who willingly puts their...
2022-06-0648 minBeekeeping Today PodcastArchive Super Episode - Dr. Tom Seeley - Bee Hunting In this replay from the Beekeeping Today Podcast Archive Super, we talk with Dr. Tom D. Seeley. We originally talked with Tom in 2019. Dr. Seeley is a Horace White Professor in Biology at Cornell University where he teaches courses on animal behavior, specializing in understanding the social life of honey bees. His scientific research focuses on the phenomenon of swarm intelligence, which is defined as the solving of cognitive problems by a group of individuals who pool their knowledge and process it through social interactions. Tom joins Jeff and Kim in this episode to discuss...
2022-05-1648 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPol-Line VSH Honey Bee with USDA-ARS Drs Frank Rinkevich and Mike Simone Drs. Michael Simone-Finstrom and Dr. Frank Rinkevich, are research entomologists at the Baton Rouge Honey Bee Research Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA. They have completed an extensive set of tests in commercial beekeeping operations on mite resistance, overwintering, honey production and virus loads of the varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) P0L Line of honey bees bred there since the 1990s. The line, called the Pol-line is drawn from the original line to be used as pollinator bees, have as a basis for mite resistance, the VSH trait, where mites in brood cells are removed by nurse bees...
2022-05-0959 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBees in the D 2022 Update and MoreToday, we invite back Brian Peterson-Roest from Bees In The D. Bees In The D is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create a cooperative effort between residents, schools, organizations, and businesses in the city of Detroit and Southeast Michigan to contribute to both the health of honey bee colonies and native pollinators, and the education of their importance to our environment. Brian was with us back in December of 2019 and introduced us to their program in S.E. Michigan. In this episode, he returns to talk about their updates and all their growth. Also, he...
2022-03-141h 02Beekeeping Today PodcastEnd of Winter Discussion with Kim, Jim Tew & JeffWhat should a beekeeper be doing this time of year - end of winter and the beginning of spring? What is different between the southern and the northern tier of States? Where do you start? What do you look for? What can you do? In today's episode, we invite long time Ohio State University extension beekeeper and educator and cohost of the Honey Bee Obscura Podcast , Dr. James Tew, to talk with us about his experiences and insights into this important and potentially critical time of year. Discussions include: What do you...
2022-03-0747 min
The Rob Pincus PodcastUniversal Background Checks and Handloading Ammunition (008)In today's Politics Segment, Rob discusses the issue of Universal Background Checks. Why are 'Universal Background Checks' a bad idea? Is it an infringement to our 2nd Amendment rights? Could it lead to the end of private firearms sales? To government confiscation of your arms? These are important points to consider. You can find more on the topic of Background Checks, Universal Background Checks and Private Transfers at GunRights.info. Next in the Training Segment, Rob invites podcast producer, Jeff Ott, back to the show. This week Jeff asks Rob about the use of hand-loaded ammunition. Is th...
2022-02-1530 minThe Rob Pincus PodcastStartle Response, Holster Preferences and Advocacy at the Personal LevelIn today's episode, we kick off what will become a semi-regular feature on the podcast, questions on training tactics, politics and other areas of personal defense. Today, podcast producer, Jeff Ott steps out from behind the soundboard to ask Rob questions on: The importance of the 'Startle Response' Rob introduces in all his training. Why is it important, how it is used and what the student gains from adding this to their training routine Holster preferences. There are many different types and makes of holsters available. What is good and what isn't for the person interested in carrying...
2022-01-1827 minBeekeeping Today Podcast2022 Broodminder Update with Rich MorrisThis week we've invited Rich Morris, of Broodminder, to provide updates on what's new and what's improved with his Broodminder Hive Monitoring sensor collection. Broodminder has been in the hive monitoring business for many years and Rich states they are starting to design and release their second and third generations of products. For starters, Broodminder has completely reworked their mobile app so it is faster, shows more information and is easier to use. This past year, they introduced a "SubHub", an information collector for up to 50 hive sensors in a beeyard. The beekeeper can then...
2022-01-1047 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDr. Samuel Ramsey - 2021 Holiday ReplayHey everybody. Kim and Jeff are taking the week off and will be back next week with a new episode. For this week's Holiday Reply, we bring you our talk with Dr. Sam Ramsey from April, 2021. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thank you for listening and Happy New Year! --------- Dr. Samuel Ramsey is back with us again, looking at all sorts of questions than bother beekeepers, and working with smart kids and science! Sammy hasn't not let any grass grow under his feet...
2021-12-2755 minBeekeeping Today Podcast2021 Holiday Special with Kim, Kirsten, Jim & JeffHappy Holidays Everybody! Come on along and listen in to Jeff and Kim and Kirsten and Jim when they get together around the virtual Christmas Tree and talk about the Holidays, the good and bad for last year and what they hope will be going on next year. Kirsten Traynor, and her 2MillionBlossoms podcast moved to Germany this year when she took a new job at one of the best beekeeping institutes in Europe, LAVES Institute of Bee Science Celle. Moving in the middle of a pandemic was a challenge, but her new job was worth it...
2021-12-2032 minBeekeeping Today PodcastHBHC Part 3 - Pete Berthelsen, Habitat & ForageToday, we pick up on the third installment of our exploration of the Honey Bee Health Coalition's programs as we talk with Pete Berthelsen. Pete runs the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund, a non-profit organization working to improve the habitat for all bees and butterflies, anywhere people can make it happen. They have projects in 12 states and are looking to get as many more as they can. They work with the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), trying to get seed mixes used on these 24 million set aside acres more bee and butterfly friendly, among many other projects. That means...
2021-09-1353 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBee City USA with Xerces' Molly Martin & City of Olympia's Amy StullIn this episode we talk first with Molly Martin, the coordinator of Bee City USA, and Bee Campus USA, both supported by the Xerces Society. The Xerces Society is as Pro Pollinator as any group can get, there's no doubt about that. Of course, our honey bees are probably the best-known pollinators, but there are thousands more out there – other bees of course, but butterflies, birds, bats, beetles, and a host of other creatures. It all began some years ago when Phyllis Stiles developed a program that cities, and then campuses could adopt that would en...
2021-08-0955 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBee Downtown with Ben DictusIn today's episode we talk with Ben Dictus, beekeeper for Bee Downtown. The good people in the Bee Downtown organization have taken bees and beekeeping to a new level of education, promotion and opportunity. They have combined beekeeping and leadership training, with business leaders and employees: Bee yards with corporate landscapes. Ben manages about 150 colonies in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, working with the likes of corporations such as SAS, Delta Air, Burt's Bees, Blue Cross to establish colonies on their corporate grounds. The hives are not hidden behind an outbuilding or the 'back acreage...
2021-02-0149 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBananas for Bees with Katharina Davitt (S3, E25)In this episode, Master Beekeeper, Katharina Davitt reveals the nutritional benefits honey bees derive from bananas. Yes, you read that correctly, bananas! We all know that bananas are good for people. They are full of carbs, minerals, vitamins, are good for digestion and just taste good. But the one thing all beekeepers learn when they start out is that when bees are threatened, they release alarm pheromone and that smells like bananas. So up to now, wise beekeepers didn't bring bananas to the bee yard. But it turns out feeding bananas to honey bees is...
2020-11-1653 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDr. Meghan Milbrath - Honey Bees, Disease and More with Kirsten Traynor (S2, E33)In this episode, guest co-host and 2 Million Blossoms editor Kirsten Traynor joins Jeff and Kim with her Dr. Meghan Milbrath interview. Meghan applies her epidemiology background in her work with honey bee diseases as an academic specialist at Michigan State University. Megan started keeping bees over 20 years ago with her father and continues today at The Sand Hill Apiary a small livestock and queen rearing operation near Munith, MI. Kirsten and Meghan talk about her history keeping bees, swarms, queens, bee diseases – including European Foulbrood, pests and even hygiene in the bee yard! Websites and Linked mentioned in...
2020-06-081h 01Beekeeping Today PodcastQueen and Drone Viability, Honey Fraud and Apimondia with Dr. Jeff PettisDr. Jeff Pettis left the USDA some time ago to pursue other avenues of research. His current work is studying issues with queens, primarily longevity, affect of pesticides, virus interactions, shipping problems and more. Relatedly, he is working with drones, which of course play a big role in how queens produce. He's looking at sperm issues, affects of pesticides, mating problems, heat stress and mating success. He's also working with varroa resistance to miticides, affects of miticides on queens, workers and drones and essentially what is working, and what isn't and why. In-between research projects...
2020-05-0156 minBeekeeping Today PodcastThe Pollinator Victory Garden with Author Kim Eierman. (S2, E25) Sit back and listen while Jeff and Kim talk with Kim Eierman, founder of EcoBeneficial, and the author of The Pollinator Victory Garden, How To Win The War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening. If you've been thinking of starting some plantings for pollinators in your backyard, you couldn't find a better place to gather information on the how, when, where and why of what to plant for all pollinators, anywhere and everywhere. Kim's book is full information for all kinds of plants for all kinds of pollinators. Lists by region, county, even zip code...
2020-04-1754 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBonus Episode: New Giant Honey Bee DiscoveryIn this bonus episode, Jeff and Kim talk about the just announced discovery of a new race of honey bees, uncovered in the Solomon Islands, Apis gigantica-nordquist, on the smallest uninhabited island, Vangunu. Vangunu, the smallest, uninhabited speck of land in the Solomon Islands is the home to one of the largest rats in the world. But it turns out it is also the home to the largest honey bee species in the world. When loggers felled a tree on Vangunu late last year, a large honey bee colony came down with it. A typical honey bee...
2020-04-0107 minBeekeeping Today PodcastHow To Get Started With Bees - Part 4 (S2, E19)Welcome to our four-part series on getting started in this fascinating and educational backyard pastime, sideline job, or full time career. All are possible with honey bees. Listen in as Kim Flottum, author and retired Editor of Bee Culture magazine, Dr. James Tew, author, Bee Culture magazine contributor and retired Extension Specialist in Beekeeping from the University of Alabama and Ohio State University, and Jeff Ott, a skilled, long time back yard beekeeper discuss the ins and outs of this craft, covering all aspects of getting started. Part 4 - You Are A Beekeeper Now! Once...
2020-03-0652 minBeekeeping Today PodcastHow To Get Started With Bees - Part 3 (S2, E18)Welcome to our four part series on getting started in this fascinating and educational backyard pastime, sideline job, or full time career. All are possible with honey bees. Listen in as Kim Flottum, author and retired Editor of Bee Culture magazine, Dr. James Tew, author, Bee Culture magazine contributor and retired Extension Specialist in Beekeeping from the University of Alabama and Ohio State University, and Jeff Ott, a skilled, long time back yard beekeeper discuss the ins and outs of this craft, covering all aspects of getting started. Part 3 - Bees Are In... NOW What?!! ...
2020-02-2851 minBeekeeping Today PodcastHow To Get Started With Bees - Part 2 (S2, E17)Welcome to our four-part series on getting started in this fascinating and educational backyard pastime, sideline job, or full time career. All are possible with honey bees. Listen in as Kim Flottum, author and retired Editor of Bee Culture magazine, Dr. James Tew, author, Bee Culture magazine contributor and retired Extension Specialist in Beekeeping from the University of Alabama and Ohio State University, and Jeff Ott, a skilled, long time back yard beekeeper discuss the ins and outs of this craft, covering all aspects of getting started. Part 2 - Where To Get Bees So you've...
2020-02-2150 minBeekeeping Today PodcastHow To Get Started With Bees - Part 1 (S2, E16)Welcome to our four part series on getting started in this fascinating and educational backyard pastime, sideline job, or full time career, sponsored by BetterBee! All are possible with honey bees. Listen in as Kim Flottum, author and retired Editor of Bee Culture magazine, Dr. James Tew, author, Bee Culture magazine contributor and retired Extension Specialist in Beekeeping from the University of Alabama and Ohio State University, and Jeff Ott, a skilled, long time back yard beekeeper discuss the ins and outs of this craft, covering all aspects of getting started. Part 1 - So You Want To...
2020-02-1451 minBeekeeping Today PodcastOrenda Winery: Xander and Samantha Kent (S2,E05)When Xander and Samantha met several years ago, the thought they'd end up owning and running a winery in Carnation, Washington, was not even a germ of an idea. In fact, the thought that they'd be running 15 colonies and producing honey at that winery was even further from consideration as Xander had no love of flying, stinging insects. Flash forward to today, past Xander's nearly three years in the Peace Corps, where he taught beekeeping in The Gambia, Africa, and they now own Orenda Winery. In this special 'on the road' podcast, Jeff travels to Carnation, east of...
2019-09-0752 minBeekeeping Today PodcastSteve Pernal: Apimondia 2019 Program Director (S2,E04)Dr. Steve Pernal is a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (the Canadian USDA), located at the lab in Beaverlodge, Alberta, CAN. When he isn't working with the bees in the fields of canola, clover and alfalfa of the norther plains of Alberta, he is heading up the Programs Committee for the 2019 Apimondia in Montréal, Canada. This year's 46th Apimondia Congress (September 8-12) is hosted by the Canadian Honey Council and is 4 packed days of everything and anything beekeeping: from daily key note speakers, to scientific presentations to honey shows to a large vendor area f...
2019-08-261h 00Beekeeping Today PodcastTammy Horn Potter: Author, "Flower Power" & KY State Apriarist (S2, E03)Dr. Tammy Horn Potter started her professional life with a PhD in American Literature. Today, she is State Apriarist for Kentucky. Along the way, she's taught English and literature at several universities in the Southeast, helped her grandfather - a sometimes cantankerous man with his bees and in doing so, fell in love with them. She became involved in the reclamation of strip-mine land and mountain tops in part through the establishment of honey bee hives across those lands. She was appointed State Apriarist in 2014. She hasn't slowed down yet. Tammy joins Jeff and Kim on this sh...
2019-08-091h 01Beekeeping Today PodcastRich Morris: Lead Drone - Broodminder - (S2, E2)Rich Morris is a beekeeper and electrical engineer whose passion and career combined to produce Broodminder. Broodminder is a set of battery powered sensors and scale that provide insights to beekeepers on the changes within their monitored hives. The sensors include separate devices for temperature, temperature and humidity, and weight and (external) temperature. While this is interesting information on a hive by hive basis, the real power of the data is when it is combined, tracked and monitored across regions or even countries. Rich and Broodminder are achieving this through their beecounted.org website. In this podcast, Je...
2019-07-3156 minBeekeeping Today PodcastSeason One Wrap-Up: A Look Back at What Was and Forward to What Will Bee! - (032) In this Season One wrap-up, Jeff and Kim talk about how the show got started, talk about some of the guests on the show. Kim also interviews Jeff during the show. Who is Jeff and why is HE on the podcast? They also discuss some of the history behind some of the podcasts including the sale of the A.I. Root beekeeping equipment business. This is a casual review of the year and a look forward to some of the guests lined up for the coming year. Links and websites mentioned in the s...
2019-06-2852 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPollinator Week: Adam Allington - The Business of BeesAdam Allington is the producer and host of the Bloomberg Environment podcast, The Business of Bees. Adam joins Jeff and Kim on this final podcast of the 2019 Pollinator Week series. Business of Bees is a six-part podcast series that introduces the listener to the business though in voices of those in the industry, including several you've heard here (John Miller, BTP #002 and Dr. Samuel Ramsey, BTP #015). Adam's series is a easy to listen to, high quality podcast that represents the pros and cons to the business, including how honey bees helps to pollinate the nation's c...
2019-06-2142 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPollinator Week: Gene Brandi - California Pollinator - (030)Gene Brandi is a West Coast beekeeper, based out of Los Banos, California. Gene is is a great spokesman for the beekeeping industry having spent over 40 years in the business. Gene is Past President of American Beekeeping Federation, has served as the Chair of The National Honey Board, Chair of the Almond Board of California, and served in committees of both organizations... along with other responsibilities including serving on the Project Apis m Board and Carl Hayden Bee Research Center's Industry Liaison Committee. He is a busy man and we were fortunate to catch him on a bu...
2019-06-2052 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPollinator Week: Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda, Honey Bee Pollination - (029)Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she focuses her time on honey bee health, pollination and as the State's Extension Service apiculturist. Prior to her current position, she was the apiculturist for Clemson University. Her research includes honey bee foraging behavior, behavioral resistance to mites, genomic imprinting and pesticide exposure. Jennifer joins Jeff & Kim in today's Pollinator Week episode to discuss the work she is doing at her new role at the University of Tennessee, pollination gardens, honey bee photography and pollination in general. Websites and l...
2019-06-1941 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPollinator Week: Davey Hackenberg - Commercial BeekeeperDavey Hackenberg is a second-generation of beekeeper following in the steps of his father, Dave Hackenberg, in the honey and pollination business. Davey lives in Lewisberg, PA where he and his family run Hackenberg Honey, home of Buffy Bee Honey! In this candid interview, Davey talks openly about the year-round challenges he and other pollinators face as they travel the country taking their bees to crops and orchards. If you want to become a pollinator or dream about walking away from your office job to become a full-time beekeeper, you just might want to listen to this...
2019-06-1854 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDr. Jerry Bromenshenk/Dr. David Firth: Bee Health Guru & UoM Master Beekeeper Program - (026)Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk and Dr. David Firth from the Univerisity of Montana are working together on a new application for beekeepers called Bee Health Guru. The application uses artificial intelligence (AI) to listen to the sound and based upon complex algorithms and learned history, can provide a diagnosis of the colony's health. Simply amazing. Jerry and David join Jeff & Kim on this episode to talk about the history of the technology and the ongoing research of the technology under-pinnings of the cell phone app. At the beginning of the podcast, you can hear Jeff listening t...
2019-05-071h 03Beekeeping Today PodcastMeredith May: The Honey Bus - (024)Meredith May is a beekeeper, journalist and author who grew up in the Big Sur area, along the central California coast. Her mother withdrew from Meredith's and her brother's lives following the breakup of her marriage. The Honey Bus is Meredith's memoir of growing up in her grandparent's home and helping her grandpa with the beekeeping chores. He helped her find structure, rhythm and stability during a place and time when home life with her mother was anything but, by showing how the bees make order out of chaos. Grandpa was a plumber and sideline...
2019-04-2549 minBeekeeping Today PodcastJonathan Lundgren: Regenerative Agriculture and Honey Bee Health - (023)Dr. Jonathan Lundgren is a former USDA-ARS soil scientist, having received his PhD in Entomology from the University of Illinois in 2004. Today he is Director of ECDYSIS Foundation and CEO of Blue Dasher Farm. He has also recently contributed to Bee Culture magazine! ECDYSIS Foundation is focused on researching and finding new ways (sometimes finding new, 'old' ways) for producers to grow food, conserve biodiversity and environmental health through independent and unbiased scientific support. Jon and his team are reimagining agriculture practices using ecological principals with independent, farmer-driven research. Blue Dasher Farm was established to...
2019-03-2843 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPeter Nelson, Director & Beekeeper: The Pollinators Movie - (022)Peter Nelson is a filmmaker, director and beekeeper. This combination of skills and passions lead to a documentary film about the business and lives of pollinators - both the two legged and six legged kind! The documentary, The Pollinators is currently making its rounds through the film festivals where it has been well received and enjoyed by all audiences. In this podcast episode, Peter joins Jeff and Kim to discuss the making of his documentary. Peter discusses his experiences following and filming the beekeepers, farmers, environmentalists and even world renown chefs as they discuss the importance of t...
2019-03-0757 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDr. Reed Johnson: Insecticide Use and Toxicity in Almond Orchards - (020)In this episode, Jeff and Kim talk with Dr. Reed Johnson. Reed got his start in research beekeeping while looking for a summer job in his hometown, Missoula, Montana. He knocked on the door of Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk at the University of Montana, was offered employment, and was quickly drawn into the world of bees and their biology. Reed went on to receive a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he was involved in the honey bee genome project, then moved on to and a post-doc position at the University of Nebraska where he...
2019-02-1457 minBeekeeping Today PodcastDr. Tom D. Seeley: Honey Bees In The Wild - (019)Dr. Tom D. Seeley is a Horace White Professor in Biology at Cornell University where he teaches courses on animal behavior, specializing in understanding the social life of honey bees. His scientific research focuses on the phenomenon of swarm intelligence, which is defined as the solving of cognitive problems by a group of individuals who pool their knowledge and process it through social interactions. Tom joins Jeff and Kim in this episode to discuss bee hunting (aka: bee lining). He also delves deeper into the topic of his article in the January 2019 Bee Culture on Darwinian Beekeeping.
2019-02-0451 minBeekeeping Today PodcastReport from the American Honey Producers Assn. Annual Meeting - (018)Welcome to our first podcast of 2019! Well, to kickoff the year, Kim is enjoying the sights and sounds of the AHPA annual meeting and convention in Phoenix. Late in the evening, Kim gave Jeff and call and provided this report. Join them as they discuss the new and the old on the vendor floor and the hottest. Beekeeping is changing and the best place to see that is at a national beekeeping convention. This is the first of several reports from the AHPA meeting. Upcoming episodes include interviews from the convention floor of legendary beekeepers a...
2019-01-1131 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBrad Root - Root Company, The First 50 Years (017)The coming year, 2019, marks the 150th anniversary of the (AI) Root Company. On this episode, Brad Root - the great, great grandson of Amos Ives Root, joins Jeff & Kim on the podcast to discuss the first 50 years of the AI Root Company. When AI first came to Medina, Ohio, the home of the Root Company, he was jeweler in a building on the west side of the town square. It wasn't long before his many interests lead him to learn all he could about the honey bee, manufacturing and standardizing beekeeping equipment and writing about it all. Not only...
2018-12-2642 minBeekeeping Today PodcastThe Honey Connoisseur, Marina Marchese - Honey Tasting and Food Pairings - (016)Marina Marchese is a beekeeper and honey sommelier. She is the founder of the American Honey Tasting Society and is a frequent speaker and author on the topic of honey tasting and pairing. In this podcast, Marina joins Jeff and Kim to introduce the topic of honey tasting and that it is more than smearing honey on toast or dumping it into one's tea. Marina relates to tasting honey as a total sensory experience and one that must be learned and developed. Marina discusses how to discern the unique flavors and attributes of different honey varietals and pairing them...
2018-11-2350 minBeekeeping Today PodcastShane Gebauer - Discussion on Treatment Free BeekeepingShane Gebauer is the President and Partner at Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, the catalog and online bee supply company based in Moravian Falls, NC. Shane has been keeping bees for many years and speaks nationally on beekeeping. You can also see Shane on several Brushy Mountain YouTube videos on various topics. In this Beekeeping Today Podcast, Shane, Kim and Jeff discuss the concept of 'treatment free' beekeeping, its challenges and applicability. This is an enlightening back and forth that is sure to fan the flames of everyone involved in this important and current debate. Today's episo...
2018-10-3157 minBeekeeping Today PodcastBill Hesbach - Bee Talks and The Connecticut Queen Breeders CooperativeBill Hesbach is a long time Connecticut beekeeper, an EAS Master Beekeeper and an University of Montana Master Beekeeper. In this episode, Jeff and Kim talk with Bill about the Connecticut Backyard Beekeepers Organization, the CBA "Bee Talks" informative gatherings and finally the Connecticut Queen Breeders Cooperative. We want to thank Bill for sharing his ideas on promoting beekeeping and education of beekeepers on this episode and hope you will find something that you can use locally. We also want to thank Pierce Beekeeping Equipment for sponsoring this episode. Pierce is the manufacturer of the o...
2018-10-0850 minBeekeeping Today PodcastJerry Hayes & Barb Bloetscher - Varroa RNAi Based Treatments Update and State of Ohio Apiarist Update 009In this episode, Jerry Hayes and Barb Bloetscher escape the rain in Medina Ohio and join Jeff and Kim on the podcast. Jerry (former FLA State Apiarist) provides an update on what he learned while at Monsanto regarding the challenges faced by those researching the use of RNAi technology to combat varroa. It is an interesting story. The educational journey and the lessons learned will ultimately help everyone. Barb is the current State of Ohio Apiarist and discusses the status of the honey bee in Ohio. What she reports may surprise you! Both Je...
2018-08-0742 minBeekeeping Today PodcastTom Theobold - The Problem With Neonicotinoids 008Tom Theobald is a long time beekeeper who lives outside Boulder, Colorado. Tom has been sounding the alarm about the problem we all face with the over use and accumulation of neonicotinoids (neonics) in the environment since before his July, 2010 article in Bee Culture. Jeff and Kim talk with Tom about his personal research and the concerns he has on neonicotinoid use, its impact on our environment and of course the cumulative effect on honey bees and other pollinators. It is a discussion that has raised passions on all sides of the debate. You can r...
2018-07-1946 minBeekeeping Today PodcastJames Wilkes - Hive Tracks and the Data Driven Hive 007Dr. James Wilkes is a co-founder and CEO of HiveTracks. When he is not working at HiveTracks or teaching computer science at Appalachian State in Boone, NC, James manages over 150 colonies with his son to producing sourwood honey on their Faith Mountain Farm. In this episode, Jeff and Kim discuss with James how computers are improving beekeeper operations, helping researchers and how all this data can help the industry going forward. Kim wraps up the show with his Inner Covered. Questions/Comments: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine o...
2018-07-1847 minBeekeeping Today PodcastToni Burnham - DC Beekeeper Alliance / Urban Beekeeping - 006We've invited regular Bee Culture contributor, Toni Burnham to the podcast to talk about the DC Beekeeper's Alliance and urban beekeeping. Urban beekeeping is on the rise as demonstrated by the membership growth of the DC Beekeepers over the past couple of years. Join Jeff and Kim as they discuss with Toni the various activities of DC Beekeepers including the education of beekeepers and the public, history of DC beekeeping, challenges and what's next. Whether you are a beekeeper in the city or country, Toni's interview will give you plenty to think about in how you can...
2018-07-0340 minBeekeeping Today PodcastXerces Society - Matthew Shepherd 003Matthew Shepherd is the Director of Communications and Outreach for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Jeff and Kim invited Matthew to Beekeeping Today Podcast to discuss the Xerces Society's various programs including Protecting Pollinators, Monarch and Bumble Bee Conservation, and finally Xerces' various Citizen Science undertakings. Afterwards, Kim provides his perspective on invertebrate conservation programs and their importance to beekeepers, in his Inner Covered. Xerces Society - www.xerces.org Questions/Comments: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of Amer...
2018-06-2135 minBeekeeping Today PodcastPollination Partnership, Inner Covered - Beekeeping Today Podcast 001Jeff and Kim speak with Amber Barnes of Pollinator Partnership (www.pollinator.org) about their many different projects, including Monarch program and pollinator habitat protection. Later in the episode, Kim discusses the health and future of pollinators during his Inner Covered observations. Special focus of this episode is Pollinator week, June 18-24, 2018 Questions/Comments: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of The Beekeeping Today Podcast. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com ...
2018-06-1937 min