Penn State Study Shows Benefits of Organic Beekeeping

By Blake Jackson

Organic beekeeping can promote healthy and productive honey bee colonies, and a new study from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences shows that it can also be profitable sometimes even more so than conventional practices.

The study found that beekeepers following organic management standards earn profits comparable to those using conventional methods. Although the continental U.S. lacks official organic certification for honey because crops within 1.8 miles of hives cannot be guaranteed free of synthetic chemicals adhering to organic practices can still yield financial benefits.

Researchers discovered that over time, organic management can result in up to 50% more honey production compared to conventional practice

Margarita López-Uribe, Lorenzo L. Langstroth Early Career Professor, said, “Our research demonstrates that you can manage your colonies following organic standards and don’t need to use synthetic pesticides to keep colonies healthy. It also provides evidence-based recommendations for what beekeepers can do to avoid these synthetic pesticides.”

The study highlighted additional benefits of organic management, including lower pesticide residues in hive products and reduced direct exposure for beekeepers.

Robyn Underwood, Penn State Extension apiculture educator, added, “Avoiding the use of synthetic miticides circumvents the impacts of miticide-resistant parasitic mites, which were a major factor in overwintering colony losses across the country during the 2024-25 winter.”

Despite the advantages, barriers remain, including misunderstandings about organic beekeeping. López-Uribe explained, “Organic beekeeping is not chemical-free beekeeping, and it does not mean that you do not control any of the pests that you have in the colony. On the contrary, it involves having a deep care for the welfare of the colony in such a way that if, for example, Varroa mite levels go above a certain threshold, you take an active role in controlling them.”

Over three years, researchers compared conventional, chemical-free, and organic management systems across four certified organic farms in Pennsylvania. The chemical-free system showed economic losses, while conventional and organic systems generated revenue.

By the third year, organic colonies produced 50% more honey than conventional ones, demonstrating that organic beekeeping can be both sustainable and profitable.

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