Meet Wayne Bodmer | Head Bee Keeper & Bee Interpreter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wayne Bodmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wayne, how does your business help the community?
Bodmer’s Bees strengthens our local environment and community by promoting pollinator health and awareness. Our bees support local agriculture through pollination, and we share honey that’s produced sustainably and responsibly. We also enjoy educating neighbors about the importance of bees to our food supply and environment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
About My Work:
Bodmer’s Bees started out as a simple curiosity — just wanting to learn more about bees — and quickly turned into a full-on passion. What sets us apart is that every hive has a story and a name. I like to think of myself as a “bee interpreter,” paying attention to what each colony needs and adjusting care to match. It’s hands-on, personal beekeeping, not production-scale farming.

I’m most proud of how far it’s come — from catching my first swarm to raising my own queens and producing award-winning honey. It definitely wasn’t easy. Beekeeping is full of surprises, from weather swings to hive losses, but those challenges pushed me to keep learning and improving.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is patience — bees move at their own pace, and sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down and trust the process.

What I want people to know about Bodmer’s Bees is that it’s not just about honey — it’s about supporting local pollinators, sharing knowledge, and keeping that connection between people and nature alive. Every jar we sell and every hive we tend helps keep that balance going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a good friend came out to visit, I’d want to give them the full New Mexico experience — a little adventure, a little art, and plenty of good food.

We’d start off in Old Town Albuquerque, grab some breakfast burritos and coffee, then check out the shops and local art. After that, a drive up to Sandia Crest to take in the view — nothing beats seeing the whole city spread out below.

Midweek, we’d head up to Santa Fe to wander through the art galleries and hit Meow Wolf — that place never gets old. For dinner, green chile cheeseburgers or enchiladas at a local spot, depending on how brave they’re feeling with the spice.

Toward the end of the week, we’d stay closer to home in Rio Rancho, fire up the grill, and maybe walk out to see the desert sunset. And of course, I’d have to show them the hives — it’s always fun watching someone see inside a colony for the first time.

By the end of the week, they’d get why I love it here — the mix of wide-open spaces, art, food, and the kind of people who wave at you just because.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve got to give a big shoutout to my family — they’re right there in the thick of it with me. Cathryn helps with the shows and events, James jumps in whenever the bees or swarms need attention, and Noelle’s been part of the buzz from the start. I couldn’t do Bodmer’s Bees without them.

Website: https://bodmersbees.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573625656737