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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.
Beekeeping is more than a hobby—it’s a rewarding adventure that connects you to nature, supports pollinators, and brings the sweet satisfaction of harvesting your own honey. Whether you’re passionate about environmental stewardship, curious about the fascinating world of honey bees, or eager to start your first hive, our multi-part podcast series, “How To Get Started in Beekeeping" is here to guide you on every step along the way!
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...
![[Bonus] Short: The Midwest Honey Bee Expo](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/f/1/8/5f18af59edfa5be0d959afa2a1bf1c87/BTP-Short-20251030-lyvyvnp6jb.jpg "[Bonus] Short: The Midwest Honey Bee Expo")
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...
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 Techn...
![[Bonus] Short - Inside Bee Culture Magazine: Medina’s Beekeeping Legacy](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/e/7/9/ee79bb39970950c216c3140a3186d450/BTP-Short-20251021-ytbv6j2gmm.jpg "[Bonus] Short - Inside Bee Culture Magazine: Medina’s Beekeeping Legacy")
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 Mani...
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 hon...
![[Bonus] Short - Dewey Caron: Condensing vs. Ventilating Hives](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/8/b/5/58b550b6963cf617d959afa2a1bf1c87/BTP-Short-20251015-49j8hqd3nh.jpg "[Bonus] Short - Dewey Caron: Condensing vs. Ventilating Hives")
In this October Beekeeping Today Podcast Short , Dr. Dewey Caron returns from Apimondia in Copenhagen and the Washington State Beekeepers Association Conference with another Audio Postcard—this time exploring the long-debated...
Earlier this week, I had the privilege of visiting one of the most historically significant landmarks in American beekeeping: the A.I. Root Company in Medina, Ohio. For anyone who’s kept bees for more than a season—or cracked open an old…
I’m often asked why we run so many episodes focused on varroa mites—guests, shorts, and even… blogs. I understand the question. As a beekeeper and content creator with a platform devoted to the news, information, and entertainment…
The idea came to me almost instantly—one of those moments where the podcast producer part of my brain took over: We need to create a BTP Shorts series covering every available varroa treatment option. After all, when you flip through any bee s…
Cohost, Producer, Editor & Audio Engineer... Chief Cook, Bottle Washer, Errand Boy
Jeff Ott blends science, storytelling, and hands-on experience into one buzz-worthy package. His journey with honey bees began as a kid, captivated by an observation hive on his bedroom desk—a fascination that sparked a lifelong passion for beekeeping. Over the years, Jeff grew from a hobbyist to a sideliner, managing colonies for honey production and local pollination, and serving as president of the Medina County Beekeepers Association in Ohio.
Now based in Olympia, Washington, Jeff is a Master Beekeeper certified by both the University of Montana and the Washington State Beekeepers Association. He is the co-founder, host, and producer of Beekeeping Today Podcast, which he launched in 2018 with the late Kim Flottum. Through his media company, Growing Planet Media, LLC, Jeff also produces Honey Bee Obscura with Dr. Jim Tew.
Whether he’s interviewing Congressmen, breaking down varroa resistance, or spotlighting sideliners scaling up their game, Jeff delivers clarity with calm authority and genuine curiosity. His goal is to inform and inspire beekeepers at all stages, from first-year beginners to seasoned professionals.
When he’s not behind the mic or tending to bees, Jeff works in IT services, cycles the scenic roads of the Pacific Northwest, and shares his home with Sherry Jennings and their quick-witted African Grey parrot, Frisco G. Byrd.
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, a University of Wisconsin–Madison graduate, spent his early career at the USDA Honey Bee Research Lab before becoming Editor of Bee Culture magazine, a position he held for 33 years. He launched BEEKeeping, Your First Three Years, created Catch the Buzz, and authored numerous influential books, including The Backyard Beekeeper and In Business with Bees. After retiring in 2019, Kim continued to share his knowledge as cohost of the Beekeeping Today Podcast and Honey Bee Obscura. He passed away on December 10, 2023, leaving a lasting legacy in the beekeeping community.
