What It's Really Like to Be a Beekeeper — With Ben Cooper: Time We Discuss
Watch/Listen to this Episode What It's Really Like to Be a Beekeeper — With Ben Cooper
Introduction: The Overlap Between Farmers and the Bold
Beekeepers live in the overlap of farmers and crazy people,
jokes Ben Cooper in this episode of Time We Discuss, hosted by Dan.
Ben, a veteran beekeeper and educator, joins the show to explain what it’s like maintaining multiple apiaries, mentoring new beekeepers,
and managing bees through every season.
If you’ve ever wondered what a beekeeper actually does, or are curious about how to start your own beekeeping journey, this episode is packed with real-world insight and practical advice.
A Day in the Life of a Beekeeper
Ben manages 12 hives across three apiaries in Pennsylvania and Maryland. His routine varies with the seasons: spring is focused on inspections, summer on honey production, and winter on maintenance and mentorship.
Beekeeping is hands-on. You’ve got to see it,
Ben emphasizes, underlining the importance of experience and environmental observation.
The Beehive: Equipment and Structure
Ben uses primarily 10-frame Langstroth hives but also explores alternative structures like top-bar hives for beekeepers with physical limitations. A single brood box filled with bees and honey can weigh over 100 pounds, so strength and lifting ability are key.
The older I get, the heavier things get,
he laughs, referencing the physical demands of the craft.
How to Become a Beekeeper
Don’t just go on YouTube and start,
Ben warns. While online resources are helpful, nothing replaces mentorship and formal education.
He teaches beginner and intermediate courses at Alleghany College of Maryland and stresses the value of local beekeeping clubs.
Many states require licensing, especially for disease tracking and public health concerns. In Pittsburgh, beekeeping within city limits mandates formal training.
Startup Costs and What You’ll Need
Expect to spend around $500 initially for protective gear and one hive. Additional hives cost roughly $300 each. Catching wild swarms can reduce startup costs.
Education before expansion,
Ben advises, recounting the story of someone who lost 49 of 50 hives due to lack of preparation.
What Beekeepers Actually Do
Beyond harvesting honey, Ben’s work includes relocating wild swarms, managing pests like Varroa mites, mentoring beginners, and making honey-based products such as candles and creams.
I’d rather make more beekeepers than have more hives,
Ben shares, reflecting his passion for education and community over profit.
The Truth About Local Honey and Allergies
While some claim local honey helps with allergies, its effectiveness depends on the specific plants involved. If your allergy is to ragweed, honey won’t help unless you're consuming pollen from those sources.
He also discusses "honeydew" honey, produced when bees collect sugar-rich excrement from pests like the spotted lanternfly— a resourceful yet unorthodox source of nectar.
Winter Losses and Environmental Impacts
The winter of 2024–25 saw a devastating 62% loss in bee colonies. As an indicator species, bee health reflects broader environmental problems.
If the bees aren’t there, something’s wrong,
says Ben.
This underscores the need for better climate stewardship, pest control, and bee-friendly practices at all levels of agriculture.
Timing, Scheduling, and Bee Behavior
Beekeeping has its own rhythms. Ben prefers inspections in the early afternoon when half the bees are out flying, making the hive calmer and easier to manage.
Every bee has a job to do and they’re doing it effectively,
he says, marveling at the hive’s complex social structure.
Beekeeping as a Calling
A Penn State agricultural grad and retired employee of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Ben’s approach to beekeeping is rooted in respect for nature.
I'd rather take care of the bees so they can take care of me,
he explains.
Today, he spends his time teaching, mentoring, and speaking at schools and community events, bringing the magic of beekeeping to the next generation.
Final Thoughts
Beekeeping is more than a hobby—it’s a lifestyle that bridges science, agriculture, and environmental awareness. From lifting frames to decoding bee behavior, it requires patience, skill, and heart.
Interested in starting your beekeeping journey? Find a mentor, join a local club, or take a class—and be sure to listen to the full episode of Time We Discuss to hear Ben Cooper’s beekeeping wisdom firsthand.
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