Receive our newsletter and announcements from Beekeeping Today Podcast! We do NOT sell email lists.
The podcast for the latest beekeeping news, information and entertainment for today's beekeeper. Hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman bring you conversations with researchers, beekeepers and industry leaders to help you become a more informed and knowledgeable beekeeper.
In this captivating episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky sit down with Frederick Dunn, accomplished beekeeper, YouTube creator, and lifelong photographer. Fred shares his fascinating journey from documenting wildlife during his Navy...
Kick off 2025 with an insightful conversation featuring Dr. David Peck, Director of Research and Education at Betterbee, as he joins Jeff and Becky to discuss the year’s hottest trends and challenges in beekeeping. From cutting-edge varroa control...
Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from …
Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from …
Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from …
Happy New Year from all of us at Beekeeping Today Podcast! In this special holiday episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Jim Tew, co-host of the Honey Bee Obscura Podcast, to reflect on beekeeping in 2024 and …
It’s the holiday season, and Jeff, Becky, and special guest Jim Tew from the Honey Bee Obscura Podcast are here to reflect on the year in beekeeping. From an unusually early spring to memorable moments with bees and family, they …
This week, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Priya Basu to discuss one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of beekeeping: honey bee nutrition. Priya shares her expertise on what it takes to keep colonies thriving, diving into the critical...
Dr. Ramesh Sagili of Oregon State University joins Jeff and Becky to dive deep into the fascinating world of honey bee nutrition and its critical role in hive health. From the complexities of macronutrients and micronutrients to the development of …
In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Marina Marchese, celebrated honey sommelier and author of The World Atlas of Honey. Marina shares her journey from backyard beekeeper to internationally recognized honey expert and educator. She discusses...
Cohost, Producer, Editor & Audio Engineer... Chief Cook, Bottle Washer, Errand Boy
Jeff Ott's journey with honey bees began in childhood with a fascination for flying and crawling creatures. He first kept an observation hive on his bedroom desk, sparking a lifelong passion for beekeeping. Over the years, Jeff grew from a hobbyist to a sideliner, managing honey bee colonies and providing local pollination services. His involvement with the Medina County and Ohio State Beekeepers Associations, along with his role as president of the Medina association, deepened his knowledge and network within the beekeeping community.
Today, Jeff lives in Olympia, Washington, and is a Master Beekeeper certified by the University of Montana and the Washington State Beekeepers Association. He founded the popular Beekeeping Today Podcast with the late Kim Flottum, reaching thousands of listeners each week. Jeff also produces two additional podcasts, Honey Bee Obscura and 2 Million Blossoms, under his media company, Growing Planet Media. His work continues to educate and inspire beekeepers worldwide.
PhD, Cohost, Columnist
Becky Masterman became a beekeeper when hired by the University of Minnesota Bee Lab as an undergraduate lab technician in 1992. She stayed on to earn a Ph.D. studying the neuroethology of honey bee hygienic behavior under the direction of Dr. Marla Spivak.
After a career detour in real estate, Becky returned to the Bee Lab in 2012 and led their Bee Squad program until 2019. Becky also served the Minnesota Honey Producers Association Board as a Director from 2016-2022 and currently heads their Habitat Committee and Habitat Hour webinar series. She has co-written the Minding Your Bees and Cues column with Bridget Mendel for Bee Culture Magazine since 2020.
Residing in Saint Paul with her husband and cat, Becky spends her free time managing her own bees and short-term rental properties across the Twin Cities metro area.
Cohost, Author
Kim Flottum attended the University Of Wisconsin, Madison, receiving a BS in Horticulture Production. While an undergrad he worked for the UW Entomology Department, researching insect control in green houses and gardens, and writing Extension Bulletins about those pests.
After graduation, he worked for the USDA Honey Bee Research Lab in Madison for four years, studying crop pollination, pesticide problems with honey bees and using honey plants in the home landscape. Later he moved to Connecticut where he was a farm manager, producing row crop vegetables and managing an apple orchard. While there he joined the CT Beekeepers Association, became President and then CT Director to Eastern Apicultural Society. John Root was also on the EAS Board at the time, and after a year offered the job of Publications Manager and Editor of Gleanings In Bee Culture, A.I. Root’s monthly beekeeping magazine.
During his tenure at A. I. Root, he created a new magazine, BEEKeeping, Your First Three Years, and also published several books, by multiple authors, along with editing three editions of The ABC and XYZ Of Bee Culture. He designed the first of Root’s beekeeping web pages, and started the daily email blast CATCH THE BUZZ.
Kim also served in leadership positions with The Ohio State Beekeeper's Assn and EAS.
During his 33 years as Bee Culture Editor, he produced five books of his own, including five editions of "The Backyard Beekeeper", plus In "Business With Bees", "The Honey Handbook", "First Time Beekeeping&quo… Read More
