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4d ago

Plain Talk: Plastics in Beekeeping

Plastic is now so common in beekeeping that it's easy to forget there was a time when virtually everything in the bee yard and honey house was made from wood, metal, glass, or cloth. In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Dr. Jim Tew looks back at that transition. He remembers glass honey jars, heavy 60-pound storage tins, wired foundation, handmade beeswax queen cups, metal-screen veils, and the equipment that defined beekeeping before plastic became commonplace. And Jim readily admits why plastic won. Five-gallon buckets were easier to handle and clean. Plastic honey containers didn't shatter on concrete floors. Plastic foundation reduced labor. Queen cell cups, protective clothing, hive components, and processing equipment all became more convenient. But that history leads Jim to a more difficult question: what should beekeepers make of concerns about microplastics? Jim discusses reports of microplastics being detected in honey and considers several possible pathways—from environmental exposure in air and dust to processing and storage equipment. At the same time, he repeatedly stresses uncertainty: he isn't arguing that honey is unsafe, nor does he claim science has established what these findings mean for human or honey bee health. It's a thoughtful conversation about progress, tradeoffs, and a question that may deserve more attention as the science develops. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. 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 We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
5d ago · Bonus

Bee Science with Dewey Caron: Honey Bee Domestication

Have humans truly domesticated the honey bee? In this Bee Science Short, Dr. Dewey Caron looks at that question through the history of honey bee breeding and the growing interest in locally adapted stock. Dewey explains that honey bees don't fit neatly into the same domestication category as cattle, chickens, or dogs. Managed colonies can swarm and survive as feral populations, yet generations of beekeepers have clearly selected for traits such as gentleness, hygienic behavior, productivity, and appearance. He then traces changes in bee breeding from imported Italian bees and early queen-rearing systems to hybrid lines and today's commercial queen industry. A major focus is genetic diversity and genotype-environment interaction: the idea that bee stock adapted to one environment may perform differently somewhere else. Dewey reviews COLOSS research in Europe in which locally adapted colonies showed better survival, strength, and productivity than non-local stock under the conditions tested. BSD-11 - Domestication He closes with examples of U.S. efforts to maintain or develop locally adapted, mite-resistant, and survivor stock — and leaves beekeepers with an ongoing question: should we continue moving selected genetics widely, or place greater emphasis on bees adapted to local conditions? Notes and references: Cobey, Susan, W.S, Sheppard and Dave Tarpy, 2011. Status of Breeding Practices and Genetic Diversity in Domestic U.S. Honey Bees. IN Honey Bee Colony Health, Chapter 4. CRC (Routledge). Meixner, M. D., Büchler, R., Costa, C., Francis, R., Hatjina, F., Kryger, P., Uzunov, A. & Carreck, N. L. (2014) Honey bee genotypes and the environment, Journal of Apicultural Research, 53:2,183–187, https://doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.53.2.01. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3896/ Meixner, M.D., Büchler, R., Costa, C., Andonov, S., Bienkowska, M., Bouga, M., Filipi, J.,Hatjina, F., Ivanova, E., Kezic, N., Kryger, P., Le Conte, Y., Panasiuk, B., Petrov, P., Ruottinen, L., Uzunov, A., Wilde, J. (2015) Looking for "the Best Bee". An experiment about interactions between origin and environment of honey bee strains in Europe. Amer. Bee J, June 663–666. https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=257867&p=66&ver=html5 Büchler, R., Uzunov, A., Costa, C., Meixner, M., Le Conte, Y., Mondet, F., Kovačić, M., Andonov, S., Carreck, N.L., Dimitrov, L., Basso, B., Bienkowska, M., Dall'Olio, R., Hatjina, F., Wirtz, U. (2022) EurBeST—a pilot study testing varroa resistant bees under commercial beekeeping conditions. American Bee Journal 162(2):213. https://doi.org/10.2762/470707. https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=541 Cecilia Costa, Marina Meixner, Norman Carreck, Aleksandar Uzunov and Ralph Büchler 2025. Sustainable Honey Bee Breeding: A Scientific Guide for Future Beekeeping. Springer Thomas D. Seeley, David R. TARPY, Sean R. Griffin, Angela Carcione and Deborah A. Delaney. 2015. A survivor population of wild colonies of European honeybees in the northeastern United States: investigating its genetic. Apidologie (2015) 46:654–666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-015-0355-0 Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan https://sbgmi.org/queenportal ______________ Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping. 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 _______________ 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
Oct 19

Live from the Pacific Northwest Beekeeping Conference: Varroa, Invasives, and Winter Prep (407)

Recorded live at the Pacific Northwest Beekeeping Conference in Wenatchee, Washington, this episode brings together five experienced voices for a fast-moving discussion of some of the biggest issues facing beekeepers today. Jeff Ott moderates a panel featuring Adam Pachl, Dr. David Peck, Dr. Brandon Hopkins, Kamon Reynolds, and Fred Dunn. The conversation begins with a familiar question: after nearly 40 years of Varroa in the United States, are we actually making progress? The panel looks at resistant stock, improved management strategies, RNAi technology, and the reality that Varroa will likely remain part of beekeeping for years to come. The discussion then turns to invasive pests and the importance of vigilance in port states such as Washington, including Tropilaelaps and invasive hornets. Panelists emphasize that local clubs and individual beekeepers can play an important role in early detection and monitoring. Audience questions bring practical issues to the forefront: creating brood breaks, queen caging, pheromones, warm winters, mite-treatment choices, amitraz resistance, oxalic acid, and the limitations of current Varroa monitoring methods. The panel closes with one simple challenge: go home, look carefully at your colonies, prepare them for winter, and keep learning from the bees. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 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! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. 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 HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. 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. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com _______________ 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
12h ago

2027 North American Honey Bee Expo with Kamon Reynolds

The North American Honey Bee Expo returns January 7–9, 2027, and Kamon Reynolds joins Jeff and Becky with a preview of what beekeepers can expect in Louisville. This year's Expo expands to three full days of education, with more than 70 hours of presentations, a larger trade show, new vendors, workshops, the North American Honey Bar, microscopy sessions, and plenty of opportunities to meet the people developing the equipment, technology, and ideas shaping modern beekeeping. Kamon shares some of the speakers and topics planned for 2027, from queen rearing and commercial beekeeping to top-bar hives, honey shows, overwintering, microscopy, mite resistance, and ways smaller operations can increase their income. A major addition this year is Beekeeping Foundations, a seven-session beginner program being developed by Jeff and Becky. The course will combine classroom instruction with the unique hands-on opportunities available throughout the Expo trade floor, giving new beekeepers a chance to see and handle the equipment and concepts they're learning about. Kamon also joins Jeff and Becky for a Hive IQ listener question about late-season queens, discussing mating challenges, fall colony strength, and why maintaining spare nucs can provide valuable insurance against queen failure. Whether you're brand new to beekeeping or have decades of experience, Kamon's goal remains the same: create an event that educates, connects, and inspires beekeepers. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: North American Honey Bee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 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! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. 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 HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. 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. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com _______________ 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
Oct 12

The Honey Bee and Climate Change with Dr. Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman

How is a changing climate reshaping the way honey bee colonies grow, forage, and survive winter? Dr. Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman returns to Beekeeping Today Podcast to discuss her new book, The Honey Bee and Climate Change, and what nearly four decades of honey bee research have taught her about the connections among climate, nutrition, Varroa, and colony survival. Gloria explains how unusually warm fall and winter weather can keep bees flying later in the year, changing colony age structure while extending opportunities for Varroa mites to move among colonies. At the same time, heat and drought can alter flowering periods and reduce both the quantity and nutritional quality of pollen and nectar available to bees. The conversation explores the annual nutritional cycle of the colony, the differences between summer and winter bees, and why fall pollen can be so important for successful overwintering. Gloria also discusses research into cold-storage overwintering as one possible response to increasingly unpredictable fall conditions. Finally, Jeff, Becky, and Gloria look at what beekeepers can do now: improve access to diverse forage, monitor and control Varroa carefully, consider mite-resistant stock, and recognize that yesterday's reliable management calendar may not always fit tomorrow's conditions. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Gloria's book on Climate Change and Honey Bees at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VJdANQ Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 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! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. 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 HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. 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. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com _______________ 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
Oct 15

Plain Talk: A Flooded Smoker & Failed Queen

A beautiful autumn day in the bee yard begins with an unexpected discovery for Dr. Jim Tew: his normally reliable smoker-storage system has failed spectacularly. A windblown lid and several rainstorms have left his smoker half submerged, his hive tools soaked, and his carefully organized system in need of drying out. But that isn't the only surprise waiting for Jim. A swarm colony he had collected earlier in the season has died, so Jim opens the hive for a late-season autopsy. Wax moths have already moved in, but the comb tells a larger story. Jim finds scattered drone brood, no queen cells, and no obvious signs of American foulbrood or a Varroa collapse. His conclusion: the colony likely declined after its queen failed. That leads to a harder question: even if Jim had caught the problem several weeks earlier, would requeening a small colony in September have made sense? Jim considers the cost of a queen, the time required for introduction, dwindling fall forage, and the risks of combining a weak colony with a stronger one. Then he turns his attention to another small nuc that may still deserve some extra care before winter. It's a thoughtful walk through the realities of fall beekeeping—where sometimes the most difficult management decision is deciding when not to intervene. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. 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 We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
Oct 5

American Honey, Russian Bees, and the Work of the AHPA with Steven Coy

Steven Coy returns to Beekeeping Today for a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing American beekeepers—and the role genetics may play in building more resilient colonies. Steven is president of the American Honey Producers Association and a longtime commercial beekeeper and Russian honey bee breeder. He begins by explaining how the AHPA represents commercial beekeepers through advocacy, Farm Bill work, anti-dumping efforts, and programs such as ELAP. He also discusses the proposed Honey Integrity Act and why the industry wants a federal standard of identity for honey. The conversation also examines declining U.S. honey production, imported honey, consumer confidence, and efforts to encourage consumers to buy American honey and support domestic beekeepers and pollination agriculture. In the second half, Steven takes Jeff and Becky inside his Mississippi operation and nearly three decades of experience with Russian honey bees. He discusses Varroa resistance, wintering, brood production, honey production, defensive behavior, and why resistant stock still requires thoughtful mite management. Steven also makes the case for evaluating genetics at the apiary level, explaining why mite drift and surrounding colonies can mask the advantages of resistant stock. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: American Honey Producers Association: https://ahpanet.com Russian Honey Bee Breeders: https://www.russianhoneybeebreeders.org Steven's Book about Russan Honey Bees at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Vuipui Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 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! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. 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 HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. 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. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com _______________ 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
Oct 8

A Beekeeper's Cookbook

What happens when decades of beekeeping, family recipes, and curiosity about cooking with honey come together in one book? In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew talks with Nona Hurst about The Dancing Bees of Rockhurst Farm, the cookbook she created with her husband, John Hurst, and their daughter, designer Courtney Wyndham. Nona recounts how the Hursts became beekeepers 43 years ago after she surprised John with two colonies for his birthday. The pickup did not go as planned: a rotten bottom board released bees inside the family's enclosed Jeep, turning their first trip home into a memorable introduction to moving colonies after dark. Beekeeping nevertheless became a lasting part of their lives. The cookbook grew from an eight-inch family binder filled with recipes collected over decades. Nona describes testing recipes repeatedly as she replaced sugar with honey, adjusted acidity and leavening, and learned how honey changes moisture and flavor. She and Jim discuss dishes ranging from fried okra with sassy honey sauce to an easy skillet salmon. The book is also a family collaboration. Courtney designed and photographed it, with additional photography by Hector Sanchez, while Jim contributed the foreword. Alongside 96 tested recipes, its 236 glossy pages include family stories, honey bee biology, and observations about bee behavior. Nona's project shows how a practical cookbook can also preserve family history, celebrate a long beekeeping partnership, and invite readers to understand honey as an ingredient rather than merely a substitute for sugar. Nona's Cookbook - https://www.foxhoundbeecompany.com/products/the-dancing-bees-of-rockhurst-farm-book-honey-cookbook ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. 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 We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
Sep 28

Nutrition, Microbiomes, and Colony Health with the Carl Hayden Lab Team

What does honey bee health look like when researchers examine it from the inside out? In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome three scientists from the USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson, Arizona: Dr. Vanessa Corby-Harris, Dr. Kirk Anderson, and Dr. Mark Carroll. Their work spans insect physiology, nutrition, microbiomes, chemical ecology, Varroa, and the complicated ways multiple stressors influence colony health. Vanessa explains why nutrition is one of the areas where beekeepers can directly influence colony health and how researchers use biomarkers—including the honey bee fat body—to connect individual bee physiology with brood production and colony performance. Kirk describes research comparing colonies placed in diverse Conservation Reserve Program forage with colonies working canola and sunflower landscapes, then discusses a more recent case involving Varroa, amitraz resistance, viruses, nutrition, and agricultural exposure. Mark explores another layer: how young workers interpret colony conditions and how pheromones such as β-ocimene may influence brood rearing during nutritional stress. Together, the conversation shows why understanding colony health increasingly means looking beyond any single stressor—and why nutrition, physiology, microbes, pesticides, pathogens, and mites often need to be considered together. Also in this episode, Jeff and Becky answer a Hive IQ listener question about preparing plastic foundation for bees. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Carl Hayden Honey Bee Research Lab: https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/tucson-az/carl-hayden-bee-research-center/ Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 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! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. 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 HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. 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. Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com _______________ 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
Oct 7 · Bonus

Winning at Honey with Stephanie: Getting Your Entries to the Show

You've spent hours preparing your honey show entries—but how do you get them safely to the judging table? This month on Winning at Honey with Stephanie, Stephanie Slater tackles the challenges of transporting competition entries by car, shipping, and air travel. She shares her own techniques along with advice from experienced honey judges who regularly travel with competition honey. You'll learn how to protect jars and delicate beeswax entries, why temperature matters, what to include in a competition cleanup kit, and how to prepare for the inevitable bubbles and honey above the fill line after a flight. Stephanie also discusses TSA liquid restrictions, checked luggage, shipping mishaps, spare honey, fresh lids, and even a clever hotel-room trick for encouraging bubbles to rise. Before getting on the road, Stephanie talks with 2026 Wisconsin Honey Queen Emily Skala about the Honey Queen program, youth involvement in beekeeping, honey shows, and Emily's plans to compete for the American Honey Queen title in January. Finally, the Honey Show Spotlight looks at upcoming competitions around the country and previews the American Honey Show at the 2027 American Beekeeping Federation Conference in Galveston, Texas. Whether you're driving across town or flying across the country, careful transportation is part of preparing an award-winning entry. Blue skies and blue ribbons! Websites mentioned: Honey Show USA - https://honeyshowusa.com/ Wisconson State Fair Honey Show - https://wistatefair.com/competitions/honey-products/ American Beekeeping Federation - https://abfnet.org/ Honey For Good - https://honeyforgood.org/ Good Food Awards - https://goodfoodfdn.org/ Wisconsin Honey Producers Honey Queen Program - https://wihoney.org/honey-queen/ American Beekeeping Federation Honey Queen Program - https://abfnet.org/american-honey-queen-program/ Missouri State Beekeepers Assn Honey Show - https://www.mobees.org/events/beeconf2026/ ______________ Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping. 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 _______________ 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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