Bonus Short - Midwest Honey Bee Expo Interviews: Comb Honey Innovation and Feeding Solutions (Part 2)

The Midwest Honey Bee Expo spotlighted two groundbreaking innovations in beekeeping: Simple Comb’s self-contained comb honey production system and BRB Feeder’s modular, pest-resistant high-top feeder. Simple Comb, created by Minnesota-based engineer Madison Fry and her father Mick, solves the labor-intensive, wasteful process of traditional comb honey harvesting by using a recyclable, food-grade cassette that fits standard frames and allows bees to build and cap honey directly inside a retail-ready package. The system eliminates cutting, reduces waste, and makes comb honey accessible to new beekeepers and consumers—offering a $10–$15 retail value per six-ounce unit. Meanwhile, BRB Feeder, developed by Gigi and Gary Drumwright of Bull Run Bees, tackles the flaws of traditional jar feeders: water intrusion, rusted lids, and uncontrolled syrup flow. Their black, bee-safe feeder uses a sealed, adjustable design with a buffer zone to prevent pests and robbing, and can be used with either jars or buckets—ideal for precise, trickle feeding that supports hive health and social structure. Both products reflect a shift toward smarter, more sustainable beekeeping tools that prioritize efficiency, nutrition, and ease of use. The episode reveals that comb honey’s mainstream potential has been limited by production complexity and aesthetic rigidity, but Simple Comb’s modular, consumer-friendly design could unlock a new market.