Joe Meyer
Joe has kept bees for over 20 years. He is a year-round Minnesota beekeeper and queen breeder, and co-founder of Four Seasons Apiaries, where he focuses on regional bee breeding and sustainable beekeeping methods.
In 2013, Joe spent the season at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, helping manage research colonies. That experience helped shape his interest in honey bee genetics and selective breeding, particularly for traits like winter hardiness, hygienic behavior, and mite resistance.
With a background in electrical engineering, fabrication, and technology, Joe enjoys exploring new tools and approaches to longstanding beekeeping challenges, including the potential for emerging technologies like AI to advance the craft.
409
Nov. 2, 2026
AI in the Bee Yard with Joe Meyer (409)
Joe Meyer joins Jeff and Becky to explore how artificial intelligence may fit into practical beekeeping. They discuss voice-first colony records, specialized AI tools, computer vision for Varroa monitoring, chatbot limitations, education, mentorship, and Joe's Hive Scribe project. Throughout the conversation, Joe emphasizes keeping the beekeeper in control while using AI to improve memory, organization, and access to information.
Guest: Joe Meyer