Molly Quade: Fighting Varroa with Fungi (360)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
Honey bees continue to face shifting pressures from pests, and few are as relentless as varroa mites. In this episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Washington State University graduate student Molly Quade, whose research into fighting varroa with fungi offers a promising biological alternative to traditional mite treatments. Molly studies entomopathogenic fungi—especially Metarhizium species—which naturally infect arthropods and are already used in agriculture for pest management. Her work centers on finding fungal strains that can tolerate the warm environment of a honey bee colony, one...
info_outline![[Bonus] Short: Communication in Bees and Beekeepers with Dr. Dewey Caron show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/195224735?height=50&width=50)
[Bonus] Short: Communication in Bees and Beekeepers with Dr. Dewey Caron
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In this month’s Beekeeping Today Podcast Short with Dr. Dewey Caron, he reflects on the many ways communication connects us — from human language to honey bee behavior. Recorded following the Oregon State Beekeepers Association’s annual meeting, Dewey explores communication on three levels: between bee scientists and beekeepers, between beekeepers and their bees, and among bees themselves. He compares human verbal, nonverbal, and written communication to the complex systems found in honey bee societies, including the famous waggle dance and the chemical cues that govern colony...
info_outline![[Bonus] Short - Inside the Ohio State Beekeepers Association with Jamie Walters show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/195231095?height=50&width=50)
[Bonus] Short - Inside the Ohio State Beekeepers Association with Jamie Walters
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In 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...
info_outline
Special Message and Archive Special - Darren Mays, NYPD Beekeeper (359)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
Jeff 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...
info_outline![[Bonus] Short - Remembering A.I. Root in Medina, Ohio show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/195019520?height=50&width=50)
[Bonus] Short - Remembering A.I. Root in Medina, Ohio
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In 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. Jim reflects on...
info_outline
Melanie Kirby: Art, Science & Bees in Community (358)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
This week, Becky Masterman and guest co-host Dr. Meghan Milbrath of Michigan State University welcome Melanie Kirby, queen breeder, educator, and pollinator specialist at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Melanie shares her incredible beekeeping journey — from learning in the jungles of Paraguay as a Peace Corps volunteer, to queen rearing in Hawaii’s Kona Queen and Hawaiian Queen Apiaries, to managing migratory operations across the U.S., and now mentoring new beekeepers through her 20-year-old operation, Zia Queenbees. She discusses the creation of...
info_outline![[Bonus] Short: The Midwest Honey Bee Expo show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/194907965?height=50&width=50)
[Bonus] Short: The Midwest Honey Bee Expo
Beekeeping Today Podcast
The Midwest Honey Bee Expo is back—and bigger than ever. Jeff and Becky talk with organizers Bill Werning and Doug Koltermann about what’s in store for the 2026 event, held February 6–7 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Following a sold-out debut in 2025, this year’s expo expands into a larger venue featuring everything under one roof—vendors, speakers, workshops, and a connected hotel for attendee comfort. Bill and Doug share how they turned a regional need for practical, hands-on beekeeping education into one of the Midwest’s most dynamic events. With 16...
info_outline
Norroa: A New Era in Varroa Management (357)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
Varroa 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...
info_outline![[Bonus] Short - Inside Bee Culture Magazine: Medina’s Beekeeping Legacy show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/194509380?height=50&width=50)
[Bonus] Short - Inside Bee Culture Magazine: Medina’s Beekeeping Legacy
Beekeeping Today Podcast
In 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...
info_outline
Fall Honey Sales (356)
Beekeeping Today Podcast
It’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....
info_outlineIn this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dave Mullins of Bee Great, based in Churubusco, Indiana. Dave shares how a hobby with his father in 2014 grew into a dynamic beekeeping business now managing 150 hives, a thriving retail store, and a diverse line of honey and bee-inspired products. From flavored honeys and goat milk soaps to international exports, Bee Great has become a model of creativity and adaptability in the beekeeping world .
Dave describes his journey from professor to full-time beekeeper and entrepreneur, offering candid insights into product development, branding, and customer service. He discusses lessons learned at farmers markets, the importance of transparency in labeling, and how community support during the COVID pandemic helped sustain and grow the business. He also reflects on balancing innovation—like Cajun and wasabi hot honey—with the challenges of scaling responsibly while staying true to a family-centered mission.
Listeners will find inspiration in Dave’s story of persistence, ingenuity, and passion for bees. His experiences highlight the possibilities—and realities—of turning beekeeping into a business while still keeping the heart of the practice rooted in service, education, and connection.
Websites from the episode and others we recommend:
- Dave's Website for His Store: https://beegreatlocal.com
- Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org
- Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
- The National Honey Board: https://honey.com
- Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com
Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
______________
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
This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!
Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper.
Give your bees a boost with HiveAlive! Proven to increase bee health, honey yield, and overwinter survival, HiveAlive’s unique formula includes seaweed, thyme, and lemongrass, making it easy to feed. Choose from HiveAlive’s Fondant Patties, High-Performance Pollen Patties, or EZ Feed Super Syrup—ready-to-use options for busy beekeepers. Buy locally or online.
Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com
Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.
_______________
We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com
Thank you for listening!
Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.
Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC
Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
