Chasing Springtime with Barry Tenso: Migratory Beekeeping and Drones in Modern Agriculture

n this engaging episode, we sit down with Barry Tenso, a first-generation commercial beekeeper who turned a backyard hobby into a thriving operation of more than 3,000 colonies. What started in 2015 with just two hives has grown into a full-scale migratory beekeeping business, pollinating crops across the United States and producing honey along the way.

Barry takes us behind the scenes of the life of a migratory beekeeper, from moving colonies under the cover of night to “chasing springtime” across the country. His bees play a vital role in pollinating almonds in California, citrus and wildflowers in Florida, blueberries in Maine, apples in New York, cranberries in New Jersey, and honey production in Pennsylvania.

We’ll also dive into his work as co-owner of Groundshaker Solutions LLC, an innovative agricultural drone spraying company. Barry explains how drone technology is changing the way farmers manage weeds, fertilize pastures, and protect pollinators by offering safer alternatives to traditional crop spraying.

Topics we cover include:

- Barry’s journey from hobbyist to commercial beekeeper.

- The logistics and challenges of moving thousands of hives across the country.

- How migratory beekeeping supports America’s food supply.

- The role of drones in agriculture and how they help protect bees.

- Splitting hives, catching swarms, and maintaining healthy colonies on the move.

- Why keeping bees means constantly adapting to new crops, climates, and challenges.

If you’ve ever been curious about the hidden world of commercial beekeeping—or how technology is shaping the future of agriculture—this conversation with Barry will give you a fascinating insider’s perspective.

📌 Learn more about Barry’s work:

Church Lane Apiaries: Churchlaneapiaries.com

Groundshaker Solutions: Groundshakersolutions.org