Episodes

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Jim Hartman, the 2024 North Carolina Small Farmer of the Year and a dedicated honey producer. Jim shares his journey from military service and corporate life to becoming a full-time “honey farmer” and entrepreneur. His passion for beekeeping and veteran advocacy shines through as he discusses building a farm business from the ground up—debt-free and focused on sustainable growth. Jim offers practical insights into treating a beekeeping operation as a...

In 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 l...

What do honey bee genetics mean for the everyday beekeeper—and how do researchers untangle traits like foraging behavior, hygienic tendencies, and even pollen hoarding? In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Rob Page, one of the world’s leading experts in honey bee genetics and author of the newly updated Honey Bee Genetics and The Art of the Bee.

On this special edition of Shorts, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another “audio postcard” exploring the vital role of communication in supering—adding boxes to a hive for nectar storage and honey production. Dewey explains how supering is a message...

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky welcome U.S. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District for a lively and inspiring conversation—not about politics, but about bees. A hobbyist beekeeper with a deep passion for the craft, Himes talks about beekeeping and bees in Congress, policy insights, and favorite beekeeping moments. He shares how he got started, the joys of hive management, and why working bees is his favorite antidote to the stress of congressional life.

In this 2025 spring beekeeping update, Jeff and Becky gather beekeepers from across the country for a timely regional check-in on seasonal progress, survival rates, and challenges. Joining the table are Ang Roell (MA/FL), Bonnie Morse (CA), Duane Combs (AZ), and Jay Williams (TN), each offering a candid look at their spring buildup after a winter marked by extremes...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani, bee biologist, educator, and founder of InsideTheHive.TV. Humberto shares his compelling journey from growing up with Africanized bees in Brazil to becoming a leading voice in honey...

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with an “audio postcard” on one of spring’s biggest challenges: swarming. In less than 20 minutes, Dewey breaks down the science and management strategies of swarming across three...

Dr. Samuel Ramsey returns to the podcast with jaw-dropping updates from his global research into Tropilaelaps and Varroa mites. In this fast-paced and eye-opening conversation, Sammy shares the latest findings from his Honey Bee-nome Project,...

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky talk with Rowdy Freeman, a deputy sheriff from California who has become a leading figure in hive theft prevention. What began as a criminal investigation over a decade ago drew Rowdy into the world of bees...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Amy Floyd and Everett Hendrixon of Dalan Animal Health back to the podcast to discuss the latest developments of vaccinated honey bee queens. With spring queen orders underway, many beekeepers are exploring...

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, certified honey judge Stephanie Slater joins Jeff and Becky to demystify the art and science of honey shows. From understanding how entries are judged to tips on preparing award-winning honey, Stephanie...

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, we welcome back Dr. Dewey Caron for a quick yet insightful Audio Postcard on honey bee communication – Bee Scientist to Beekeeper, Beekeeper to Bee, and Bee to Bee. Dr. Caron shares timely advice for...

Online beekeeping education has come a long way—and the University. of Montana is leading the way. In this episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Dr. Scott Debnam, head beekeeper and lead instructor for UM’s Online Master Beekeeping Program, about how...

Welcome to today’s Beekeeping Today Podcast Short. We’re excited to have Simon Mildren, founder and CEO of HiveKeepers, an Australian agtech company revolutionizing the beekeeping industry. Simon, a firefighter turned beekeeper, has been...

Beekeeping has evolved significantly over the years, and few innovations have sparked as much conversation Flow Hive's SuperLifter. In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Flow Hive co-founder, Cedar Anderson, who shares exciting updates on their latest...

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky welcome an extraordinary young researcher, Vince Wu, a high school senior and Davidson Fellow Scholarship winner. Vince’s groundbreaking research combines artificial intelligence and honey...

Spring is here, and if you haven’t thought about your packages and queens yet, it’s time to act! In this episode, Beekeeping Today Podcast welcomes Ray Olivarez of Olivarez Honey Bees (OHB) to discuss the intricacies of raising high-quality queens...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...