Photo: Wade Gagich

Mark Fleischer never expected that a small mason bee house in his Willoughby, Ohio, backyard would transform his life into a buzzing enterprise of over one million honey bees across four locations. Among these sites is Lakeland Community College, where Fleischer maintains six campus hives as part of his dual role as both beekeeper and Lake County's official bee inspector, responsible for monitoring hive health throughout the region.

"When I say I'm all in for bees, it's literally all in for bees," said Fleischer, who operates as a full-time beekeeper seven days a week.

Fleischer's journey began in 2017 with native mason bees – non-stinging super pollinators that work within a few hundred feet of their homes. His social media posts about these harmless insects sparked curiosity among friends and neighbors, leading him to become an educator about Ohio's 500 bee species, most of which don't have stingers. By fall 2019, after answering questions from honey beekeepers worldwide through online groups, Fleischer realized it was time to get his own honey bees. They arrived in April 2020, just as the pandemic began.

"The world shut down, and everyone's life was changing," Fleischer recalled. "But it wasn't tough for me, because I was in my yard, my apiary, with my bees." During lockdown, he became a teacher to neighborhood children, conducted Zoom calls across states, and appeared in local news coverage. His single hive quickly multiplied into a thriving operation.

Former Lakeland employee Jen Smyser connected Fleischer with the college in 2021, establishing the campus apiary. Since then, he has worked closely with biology instructor Steve Vieira, serving as field instructor during entomology segments where students observe and interview him. "I have done a lot with the campus and with the kids and groups," Fleischer said, noting his involvement in various educational programs, mentorships and campus events over the years. The partnership has included creating wildflower gardens and installing mason bee houses to support native bee populations.

Each of Fleischer's hives can house up to 80,000 bees with one queen. Worker bees live just 35 days but perform seven different job roles during their brief lives, while queens survive two to three years. Unlike native solitary bees that work within a few hundred feet, honey bees forage up to five miles per flight, pollinating flowers, vegetables and foliage across a wide area. "My bees have been beautifying Lakeland since 2021 and helping with our biodiversity here," Fleischer explained. "We are trying to change the landscape in Northeast Ohio."

The beekeeping industry faces significant challenges. Ohio lost 85% of its honey bees last year, while America overall lost approximately 60% of its honey bee population. Threats include varroa mites, chemicals, cell phone towers and unfavorable weather patterns. This year's unusually wet spring delayed bee activity, forcing Fleischer to invest thousands of dollars in new hives – all at his own financial risk, as standard insurance doesn't cover bee losses. "It's a complete risk," he said.

Regardless of outside weather conditions, bees maintain their hive at exactly 95 degrees when babies are present from spring through fall. Whether it's 40 degrees or 110 degrees outside, worker bees use their wings to warm or cool the hive, working tirelessly for the colony's success. "They have the weight of the world on their little shoulders and their little wings," Fleischer said.

Beyond his campus involvement, Fleischer sells honey under Timber Ridge Honey Company at farmers markets, captures swarms, speaks publicly about beekeeping, and has his honey featured in several local alcohol products. He also maintains an 8,000-member Facebook group for Northeast Ohio beekeepers and serves with the Lake County Beekeepers Association.

For Fleischer, who also works part-time as Santa Claus during Christmas season, beekeeping represents more than a profession – it's a calling to support crucial pollinators while educating the next generation about environmental stewardship. "I love what I do. I love bees and I breathe them, speak them all day long," he said. "They're just trying to do their best to help us all.”

Students and community members interested in learning more about beekeeping can contact Fleischer through the Lake County Beekeepers Association, the Northeast Ohio Beekeepers Facebook group or via email at timberridgehoneycompany@gmail.com.

By: Levi Rex, Marketing Communications Specialist