Welcome to the first full video episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, presented by Mann Lake!

If you prefer to consume video versions of podcasts, you'll find us our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BeeLoveBeekeeping and video of this episode at https://youtu.be/lgdeWybgefk

In this special debut, host Eric Bennett chats with one of the most beloved figures in the beekeeping community, Jeff Horchoff, better known as Mr. Ed. Jeff is a Louisiana beekeeper, YouTube personality with over 150,000 subscribers, and the caretaker of bees for a Benedictine monastery.

Above all, he believes beekeeping should be fun first, and that philosophy shines through in every story he shares. This episode isn’t just about tips—it’s about rediscovering the joy, wonder, and even spirituality of working with honeybees.

Jeff explains why many new beekeepers start with excitement but lose sight of the fun when they get too caught up in technical details. Beekeeping, he says, isn’t about perfection—it’s about the simple pleasure of caring for bees and living in the moment. You’ll also learn why beekeeping is deeply local, shaped by geography and climate.

Jeff describes why his hands-off approach works in Louisiana’s mild, forage-rich environment but wouldn’t work in colder northern climates with Varroa pressures and harsh winters. For new beekeepers, he emphasizes learning bee biology, local nectar flows, and timing, explaining how the lengthening days after the winter solstice set the entire hive in motion.

The conversation also touches on the spiritual side of beekeeping. For Jeff, keeping bees is a form of prayer and gratitude—a way to see the hand of God in creation. Along the way, he shares a fascinating story about the first time he found a marked queen during a colony removal and why he usually avoids marking queens.

Whether you’re new to beekeeping or a seasoned pro, this episode is full of insight, inspiration, and heart. It’s a reminder that beekeeping isn’t just about honey or money—it’s about curiosity, connection, and love for the bees.

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Love what you’re learning? Help us grow by subscribing, rating, and sharing the show with your fellow bee lovers. Got a burning question for a future episode? Reach out at eric@beelovebeekeeping.com

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/

Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.

https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@JeffHorchoff

In this special episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, we take a step away from our usual beekeeper interviews to explore an important and sometimes misunderstood topic: the relationship between honeybees and native bees. With headlines circulating like “Americans Are Saving the Wrong Bees” and “Honeybee Invasion,” it’s time to dig deeper into the science and separate fact from fear. Are honeybees really hurting native bees, or is the truth more nuanced?

To help us answer that, we’re joined by Jennifer Michelle, a sustainable health strategist with a background in public health, epidemiology, and medical entomology. Jennifer offers a broad and informed perspective on pollinator health, emphasizing how ecological systems, human planning, and individual actions all contribute to the wellbeing of both honeybees and native species. She outlines the key differences between them—solitary vs. social, seasonal vs. year-round activity, generalists vs. specialists—and explains how those differences can create unintended consequences when habitat is scarce.

Rather than painting honeybees as villains, Jennifer stresses that lack of habitat, pesticides, and overdevelopment are the real threats. Honeybees may intensify competition, but they’re not the root problem. Instead, she urges beekeepers to become part of the solution: planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use, and encouraging cities to rethink how they landscape public spaces. Jennifer shares success stories and cautionary tales, from London's overcrowded apiaries to the benefits of native pussy willow trees as early spring forage.

The episode closes with practical tools for identifying native plants in your region, ways to advocate for pollinator-friendly policies in your community, and a reminder that education—not outrage—is the path forward. With warmth and humor, Jennifer makes the case for coexistence and cooperation. Beekeepers, gardeners, and nature lovers alike will find this episode both eye-opening and empowering.

There's even a wild & crazy story that involves a renaissance fair, big skirts, and bee stings.

Love what you’re learning? Help us grow by subscribing, rating, and sharing the show with your fellow bee lovers. Got a burning question for a future episode? Reach out at eric@beelovebeekeeping.com

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Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/

Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.

https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/

Eric@BeeLoveBeekeeping.com

Jennifer Michelle: https://greentownconsulting.com/

"Bees in the pants is never fun!" You'll find this, and other fun & enlightening quotes, in this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping.

Host, Eric Bennett, welcomes experienced beekeeper John Stephens for a deep dive into a simplified, yet highly effective, approach to hive management—the single deep brood box system.

But before we get to the honey and science, the show kicks off with a chuckle-worthy parody segment: “You Might Be a Beekeeper,” a hilarious twist on Jeff Foxworthy’s classic routine. With lines like “If you’ve apologized to a bee for getting stung… you might be a beekeeper,” the episode sets a fun and relatable tone for hobbyists and pros alike.

As the show transitions into the main topic, John shares his years of experience managing colonies in single deep boxes, making a compelling case for why less really can be more in beekeeping. He breaks down the practical benefits—including easier inspections, reduced weight, simplified swarm control, better scalability for small apiaries, and more honey production.

It's all about having fun while we learn about beekeeping and sharing the love of honey bees!

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⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Cold Open & Beekeeper Humor A playful parody segment inspired by Jeff Foxworthy to warm up the audience with relatable beekeeper quirks.

01:45 – Welcome & Guest Intro: John Stevens Host introduces today’s topic and expert guest, who specializes in single deep brood box hive management.

03:10 – Why Single Deep Boxes? John breaks down the logic behind using a single deep brood box, and how it benefits both bees and beekeepers.

08:20 – Hive Health & Overwintering Discussion on pest control, seasonal management, and the realities of overwintering in a single deep setup.

13:30 – Lessons Learned & Bee-Friendly Practices Real-world experiences, common mistakes, and landscaping choices (like clover lawns) that help bees thrive.

20:30 – Resources, Takeaways & Outro Final advice from John, links to gear and guides, sponsor thanks, and a reminder to subscribe and stay connected.

👍 Support the Podcast

Love what you’re learning? Help us grow by subscribing, rating, and sharing the show with your fellow bee lovers. Got a burning question for a future episode? Reach out at eric@beelovebeekeeping.com

______________

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/

Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off a $100 order.

https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/

Eric@BeeLoveBeekeeping.com

John Stephens: https://www.youtube.com/@FarmerJohnStephens