Alan Wade, Dannielle Harden: Managing Two-Queen Hives (340)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In this episode, Jeff and Becky dive into the fascinating world of two-queen hive systems with guests Alan Wade and Dannielle Harden. Alan, an Australian researcher and longtime contributor to The Australasian Beekeeper, brings deep technical expertise and historical context to the discussion. Dannielle, a beekeeper and educator, adds a hands-on perspective from the field. Together, they explore what it takes to successfully manage colonies with two laying queens—why beekeepers attempt it, how it’s traditionally done, and what innovations are reshaping the approach. Alan shares his work...
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Regeneron STS Finalist, Atreya Manaswi - SHB (339)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, we welcome an inspiring young voice in honey bee research—Atreya Manaswi, a high school senior and top 40 finalist in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Atreya shares the fascinating journey that began with a fishing trip and led to a multi-year research project aimed at controlling one of the most damaging pests of honey bees: the small hive beetle. Working under mentorship from the USDA and University of Florida, Atreya developed a new organic bait based on the volatile compounds found in beer. He didn’t stop there—he designed a...
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[Bonus] Short - Summer in the Apiary with Dewey
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with his latest “audio postcard,” diving into summer apiary management. As the season heats up, Dewey asks: are we unknowingly stressing our bees through our supering choices? Drawing from a recent Brazilian study led by Dr. David De Jong, Dewey explores the physiological impacts of over-supering on honey bee colonies. The research found that adding too many foundation supers at once can elevate stress markers in forager bees—potentially compromising immune response and productivity. Dewey explains how thoughtful...
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Pollinator Week 2025 with Pollinator Partnership (338)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In this special episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, we launch our eighth season with a celebration of Pollinator Week and a conversation with Kelly Bills, Executive Director of Pollinator Partnership. Kelly returns to share exciting updates on their growing programs, from the BeeMD diagnostic tool relaunch to the expansion of Bee Friendly Farming and Gardening certifications. She also discusses the Pollinator Steward Certification, a program educating people across professions to become effective stewards of pollinators in their communities. We explore the importance of native plants, new...
info_outline![[Bonus] Short - Jeometry Bee Wear Designed for Women! show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/189607545?height=50&width=50)
[Bonus] Short - Jeometry Bee Wear Designed for Women!
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff sits down with Jenna York, founder of Jeometry Beewear, a new line of protective beekeeping clothing designed specifically for women. Combining her 10 years of beekeeping experience with two decades in fashion design, Jenna shares how frustration with ill-fitting gear inspired her to create a solution from the ground up. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Jeometry Beewear uses eco-friendly materials—including a breathable, recycled honeycomb mesh—and thoughtful design elements like bust pleats, functional pockets, and single-zipper access....
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Bee Business with Jim Hartman (337)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
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 serious business rather than a hobby. He breaks down essential strategies like proper...
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Summer Management Tips with Jim Tew (336)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
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 laced with storytelling. He shares his experiences with package installs, queen releases, and how...
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Honey Bee Genetics & Breeding with Dr. Robert E. Page (335)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
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. Rob shares stories from his early influences, including his time with Harry Laidlaw and the legacy of Walter Rothenbuhler, and how his fascination with bee behavior grew into a groundbreaking career in genetic research. They also...
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[Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron on Supering
Beekeeping Today Podcast
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 to the bees: “Fill it up!” He discusses different strategies—top supering, bottom supering, and baiting—and how proactive management can reduce swarming and increase honey yields. Drawing from research by the University of Georgia, Dewey notes there’s no significant advantage to labor-intensive bottom supering over easier top supering. He...
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Beekeeper and Congressman - Rep. Jim Himes, CT (334)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
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, Jim shares how he got started, the joys of hive management, and why working bees is his favorite antidote to the stress of congressional life. From extracting honey to navigating Varroa mites and splits, Jim discusses his apiary in suburban Connecticut, seasonal nectar flows, and how beekeeping has awakened his awareness...
info_outlineWelcome 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 instrumental in developing innovative solutions for both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers. In this bonus episode, we’ll be discussing HiveKeepers’ latest innovation—the Micro Honey Harvester.
This compact device simplifies the honey extraction process, allowing beekeepers with 1-5 hives to harvest pure honey in less than five minutes. The Micro Honey Harvester eliminates the need for uncapping, bulky extractors, and extensive filtering, making the process efficient and mess-free.  
HiveKeepers has launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring this product to market, aiming to raise $1 million to support production and distribution. The campaign has garnered positive feedback from the beekeeping community, with many expressing excitement about the potential impact of this innovation.
Join us as we dive into the development of the Micro Honey Harvester and how Simon aims to transform honey harvesting for beekeepers worldwide.
Links and resources mentioned in today's BTP Short:
- HiveKeepers website with Kick Starter Details: https://www.hivekeepers.com
Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping.
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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com
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