Nate’s Hives Appoints Dr. Kelly Kulhanek as Senior Entomologist to Advance Honey Bee Health and Sustainable Beekeeping

Leading honey bee scientist Dr. Kelly Kulhanek will lead research, strengthen colony health and drive innovation in sustainable beekeeping for Nate’s Hives

Cannon Falls, MINN. – February 3, 2026 – Sweet Harvest Foods, the largest producer of raw, unfiltered honey and parent company of Nate’s Honey and Nate’s Hives, announces Dr. Kelly Kulhanek has joined the leadership team as Senior Entomologist for Nate’s Hives, the largest U.S. beekeeper. The new Nate’s Hives role and the strategic hire of Dr. Kulhanek underscores the company’s commitment to pioneering honey bee health, advancing pollinator science and driving innovation in sustainable beekeeping.

Dr. Kulhanek, a nationally recognized entomologist specializing in honey bee health and best management practices, brings more than a decade of experience in research and commercial beekeeping. Dr. Kulhanek’s appointment further positions Nate’s Hives as the only U.S. honey producer and beekeeper with this level of scientific and operational sophistication.

“Nate’s Hives is committed to blending traditional beekeeping with applied science to ensure the vitality of our honey bee colonies and the ecosystems they support,” said Michael Carle, Chief Executive Officer of Sweet Harvest Foods. “With Dr. Kulhanek’s leadership, we are poised to accelerate innovation, increase production yields for Nate’s Honey and reinforce our role as stewards of honey bee health.”

With a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland and a proven track record of leading large-scale, multi-state research initiatives, Dr. Kulhanek will spearhead efforts to monitor and improve colony health, nutrition, genetics and resilience across Nate’s Hives’ operations. Dr. Kulhanek’s work will translate cutting-edge science into actionable strategies for Nate’s Hives’ beekeepers, ensuring that research delivers real-world impact for the broader agricultural community.

“Bringing an entomologist of Dr. Kulhanek’s caliber onto our leadership team reinforces our commitment to advancing pollinator health, strengthening American agriculture and ensuring a resilient hive to kitchen supply chain for Nate’s Honey,” said Matt Halbgewachs, President of Nate’s Hives. “Her expertise in honey bee science and hands‑on commercial beekeeping will help us raise the bar for sustainable honey production and deliver lasting value for the beekeeping community and the families who trust our honey.”

Dr. Kulhanek joins Nate’s Hives from Washington State University (WSU). As Assistant Professor and Pollinator Research and Extension leader at WSU, Dr. Kulhanek managed multi-year projects involving more than 2,000 research colonies and collaborated with commercial beekeepers across five states. Dr. Kulhanek’s research has been published in leading scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences, and her research has directly informed best practices for beekeepers nationwide.

“Applied research gives us the insight we need to understand which management practices truly improve outcomes for both honey bees and beekeepers. By asking the right questions and collecting the right data, we can ensure our honey bees have exactly what they need to thrive,” said Dr. Kulhanek. “I’m thrilled to bring this work to Nate’s Hives, so we can translate cutting‑edge science into real‑world impact for beekeeping and agriculture.”

Nate’s Hives became the largest beekeeper in the U.S. in 2025 and has more than 6 billion honey bees, 120,000 honey bee colonies and more than 100 beekeepers operating 10 apiary sites nationwide. As the leading apiary in the U.S., Nate’s Hives aims to pair operational scale and world-class research with leading experts for the advancement of the honey industry and the support of a healthier food ecosystem for the future. To learn more about Nate’s Hives, please visit nateshives.com.

About Sweet Harvest Foods
We believe in making life a little sweeter. As the leading producer of honey in the U.S., Sweet Harvest Foods provides the highest-quality ingredients for some of the most iconic brands and beloved products. That’s a serious responsibility, which is why we keep innovating and setting higher standards in quality, taste and reliability. Sweet Harvest Foods is bolstered by its ownership of Nate’s Honey, the number-one branded honey, and Nate’s Hives, the largest U.S. apiary. Join us on our mission to lead the honey industry by innovating from the hive to beyond the kitchen. For more information, visit www.sweetharvestfoods.com.

About Nate’s Hives
At Nate’s Hives, our mission is to provide the highest-quality, best-tasting raw honey to as many people as possible. As the largest beekeeper in the U.S., we cultivate more than 6 billion honey bees and 120,000 honey bee colonies with the utmost care through sustainable and responsible practices. Our honey bees thrive, and you can taste the result — raw, high-quality honey, made without any chemicals or added ingredients. That honey goes straight from our hives to your favorite grocery stores, restaurants and honey-sweetened products. For more information, visit nateshives.com.

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