Beekeeping Today Podcast

This week, we are going to visit three beekeepers in across the country. This time of the year, beekeepers in the US and northern hemisphere are all very busy, but are they all doing the same? We talk with three beekeepers from NC, OH, and CO. Each of these beekeepers have a unique, and somewhat tricky environment to raise bees and they are as much different from each other as they are alike to each other. We brought them all together and their conversations and observations are fascinating!

This episode is our first with guest co-host, 2 Million Blossoms editor, Kirsten Traynor. Kirsten will be our guest co-host on a regular basis bringing us interviews with young and upcoming personalities and researchers in the world of beekeeping. In this first episode, Kirsten introduces us to Sarah Red Laird. Sarah Red-Laird, probably better known as The Bee Girl. She’s very visible in the beekeeping community for her work with kids and bees at National, Regional and local beekeeper’s meetings.

Dr. Jeff Pettis left the USDA some time ago to pursue other avenues of research. His current work is studying issues with queens, primarily longevity, affect of pesticides, virus interactions, shipping problems and more. Jeff Pettis has been serving as the Bee Health Commissioner for the International Beekeeping Association, Apimondia, for the past 8 or 9 years. In 2019, he was elected President of Apimondia, becoming that organization's the first President from America!

Fifty years ago today, we celebrated very first Earth Day. So we could think of no better guest today than asking Dr. Johnathan Lundgren back to the podcast! Jonathan is a leader in the Regenerative Agriculture movement. His work with soil microbiomes and overall soil regeneration, the restoration of cover crops and plant diversity creating a living roof, the value of compost and the marriage of crops and animals making betters soils, crops, better farmers and help to produce healthier honey bees.

The Pollinator Victory Garden with Author Kim Eierman (S2, E25)

Developing A Breeding Program with Sue Cobey, Dr. Tim Lawrence and Dr. Steve Sheppard (S2, E24)

Asian Giant Hornet with WSDA's Sven-Erik Spichiger (S2,E23)

Bonus Episode: New Giant Honey Bee Discovery

BIP Sentinel Apiary Program with Kelly Kulhanek (S2, E22)

Sioux Honey Association Co-op: Matt Beekman (S2, E21)

ApisProtect with Drs. Fiona Edwards Murphy & Padraig Whelan (S2, E20)

How To Get Started With Bees - Part 4 (S2, E19)

How To Get Started With Bees - Part 3 (S2, E18)

Part 2 - Where To Get Bees You’ve got a good idea about what equipment you’ll need and hive placement, so now where do you get bees? There are several ‘races’ of bees you can get. They are similar in most ways, but each has some special traits. Once you’ve decided what kind of bees will be best for you, how do you get them into that equipment you just picked out. You can pick them up from the postoffice, from a local supplier or from a local beekeeper. In this 2nd part of the series, we explore

Welcome to our 4-part series on getting started in this fascinating and educational backyard activity, sponsored by BetterBee! Listen in as Kim Flottum, author and retired Editor of Bee Culture magazine, Dr. James Tew, author, Bee Culture magazine contributor and retired Extension Specialist in Beekeeping from the University of Alabama and Ohio State University, and Jeff Ott, a skilled, long time back yard beekeeper discuss the ins and outs of this craft, covering all aspects of getting started.