Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner Series
Are you ready to take your beekeeping operation to the next level? In this special five-part series from Beekeeping Today Podcast, we take you on a dive deep into the process of growing from a hobbyist beekeeper to a sideliner managing 50-300 colonies. Featuring expert guests, each episode focuses on a key aspect of expansion, from scaling colony numbers to designing a honey house and building a sustainable business.
Whether you’re thinking about growing your operation or already managing dozens of colonies, this series is packed with valuable insights, practical advice, and real-world experiences to help you upscale efficiently and profitably!
Episode 1: When & How to Grow
Listen Now: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/319
Expanding your beekeeping operation is an exciting but complex decision. In this episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Dr. Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck from Michigan State University about the signs that indicate you’re ready to scale up. They explore the financial and time commitments required, strategies for increasing colony numbers, and the different paths beekeepers can take—honey production, nuc sales, pollination services, or queen rearing. The conversation also touches on efficiency in large-scale beekeeping and how experienced beekeepers assess colony health in under a minute.
Guests: Dr. Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck (Michigan State University)
Episode 2: Equipment, Yards, and Logistics
Listen Now: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/320
Once you decide to grow, managing equipment and logistics becomes a top priority. Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck return to discuss hive configurations, yard setup, and key equipment choices. They cover decisions like palletizing hives, vehicle selection, whether a forklift is necessary, and how to negotiate yard rent with landowners. They also share best practices for keeping equipment consistent, improving efficiency, and making smart investments to support long-term growth.
Guests: Dr. Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck (Michigan State University)
Episode 3: Upscaling Your Honey House
Listen Now: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/321
A growing beekeeping operation needs an efficient system for extracting, bottling, and storing honey. In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome John Rath of Betterbee to discuss the essentials of honey house design. From extractors and uncapping systems to warm rooms and sump setups, John shares insights on maximizing efficiency while avoiding common pitfalls. He also explains how beekeepers can offset equipment costs by offering extraction services to others.
Guest: John Rath (Betterbee)
Episode 4: The Business of Bees
Listen Now: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/322
Growing a beekeeping operation isn’t just about managing more hives—it’s about building a sustainable business. In this episode, Jeff and Becky speak with Tara Dawn Chapman (Two Hives Honey) and Jay Williams (Williams Honey Farm) about their journeys from hobbyists to full-time beekeepers. They discuss branding, marketing, pricing strategies, agritourism, and why diversifying revenue streams is essential for success. The conversation also covers available grants and funding options for expanding beekeeping businesses.
Guests: Tara Dawn Chapman (Two Hives Honey), Jay Williams (Williams Honey Farm)
Episode 5: Lessons Learned
Listen Now: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/323
Scaling a beekeeping operation comes with unique challenges and opportunities, and in this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Minnesota beekeeper Ritchie Schaeffer shares his firsthand experience moving from hobbyist to sideliner. Starting in 2018 with just a few hives, Ritchie built B2B Honey into a successful business by seizing market opportunities, developing key relationships, and staying adaptable in the ever-changing world of beekeeping.
This series is designed to help beekeepers make informed decisions when scaling their apiaries. Listen in and gain the insights you need to take the next step in your beekeeping journey!