Importance of LOCAL Beekeeping With Guest, Mr. Ed (Jeff Horchoff)

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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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