Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Beekeeping
The problem--too many hives lost during the previous winter (2023)The educational program response--trainings to protect and suppost hives. Two monthly meetings committed to improving actions taken by beekeepers to increase survival of hives. Neil -in person training to show/tell/assist current participants in improving methods of care to enhance survial of bee hives.The participants/target audience--Current and future beekeepersOther partners (if applicable)--Pikeville BeekeepersPro
Author: Jason Vaughn
Major Program: Beekeeping
The Varroa mite has spread to and become a major pest of honey bees since their introduction in the mid-1980s. They were first reported in the Bluegrass Region of the Commonwealth in 1991 and now occur throughout the state. The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service estimates losses due to mite infestation exceed $1 billion a year. Research recommends an integrated pest management approach control that relies on various tools. Vaporized sprays of oxal
Author: Jay Hettmansperger
Major Program: Beekeeping
The problemVarroa destructor, the Varroa mite, is an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on honey bees and is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world. A significant mite infestation leads to the death of a honey bee colony, usually in the late autumn through early spring The educational program responseThe Garrard County ANR agent presented a program to the local Garrard County Beekeeping Club on Varoa Mite control in beehives. The agent demonstrated how to conduct mite
Author: Keith Hackworth
Major Program: Beekeeping
Extension continues to support the Floyd County Beekeepers Association by offering programming, guidance, and assistance while promoting their efforts. The county continues to have increased interest in beekeeping and trying to preserve this tradition. Since the association officially formed seven years ago, their fifty plus members have educated and mentored nearly a hundred new beekeepers in Floyd and surrounding counties. Attendance at some of their monthly meetings reached more than forty. T
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Beekeeping
Beekeeping is becoming more popular in Bullitt County. Beginning beekeepers in our area need mentors and support to be successful. The Bullitt County Beekeepers Association leadership is consistently providing opportunities for new beekeepers in our community to become involved and gain experience. They provide monthly beekeeping lessons and hands on demonstrations with seasoned local experts. Individual leaders partner up with new beekeepers to assist and provide support to help the
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Beekeeping
With black bears continuing to surge into eastern counties of Kentucky, more and more beekeepers are experiencing damage to their hives from foraging bears. In order to equip producers to protect their colonies, the Johnson County Extension Service offered an educational session on bear behavior. Taught by beekeeper Jayson Plaxico, a retired wildlife biologist with KDFWR, the session addressed exclusion techniques, sanitation steps, and cultural actions that discourage bears from staying in the
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Beekeeping
Due to the growing interest in beekeeping and the increase in members to local bee clubs the Boyle and Mercer County Horticulture agents planned and hosted a Beginner Beekeeping course for their community. Comprised of four essential classes - Beekeeping 101, Starting a Hive, Seasonal Management, and Enemies of Bees, these courses were a collaborative effort involving local beekeepers, Extension Specialists from UK and KSU, as well as the State Apiarist. Each course was attended by more th
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Beekeeping
Due to the growing interest in beekeeping and the increase in members to local bee clubs the Boyle and Mercer County Horticulture agents planned and hosted a Beginner Beekeeping course for their community. Comprised of four essential classes - Beekeeping 101, Starting a Hive, Seasonal Management, and Enemies of Bees. These courses were a collaborative effort involving local beekeepers, Extension Specialists from the University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, and Kentucky's State Apia
Author: Danny Adams
Major Program: Beekeeping
KSU and UK Extension help get 17 new beginning bee keepers starter bee hive kits for these seventeen participants. Some of the requirements was the participants get honeybees and join the Wayne County Honeybee Association. Since most of the participants are new bee keepers they need a mentor and a place to get honeybee supplies. Wayne County at this time has no one selling honeybee supplies.So some of the Wayne County Honeybee Association members invited Jim Goss from Honeybee Connections to tel
Author: Charles May
Major Program: Beekeeping
More than 60 participants attended the 2024 Eastern Kentucky Bee School that was held in person at the Perry County Extension Office Annex Building.This was supposed to be a mini–Beekeeping School but it turned out to be rather large. The Annex was at capacity and participants had to be turned away. This was the first in person school since 2020. COVID had forced the school to go virtual. We had participants from 12 Kentucky Counties and Virginia and West Virginia. 
Author: Kristen Stumbo
Major Program: Beekeeping
The problemMagoffin County has experienced in influx of new residents that are interested in homesteading. A lot of these new homesteaders hope to begin producing their own food and honey. Our Office received a lot of phone calls in the fall/ winter regarding beekeeping questions and concerns.The educational program responseA beginner beekeeping workshop series, to continue on throughout the year and guide new beekeepers through the seasons/ tasks to take on with their new hives was started to g
Author: Michelle Brock
Major Program: Beekeeping
The Bell County Extension office was without an Agriculture agent for a while and the existing bee club floundered and fell apart. When a new ag agent was hired she was contacted within days by community members in regards to starting the bee club again.Plans were made and the Wilderness Road Beekeepers Club had their first meeting. The attendees consisted of participants from Bell and surrounding counties and residents of Tennessee. Experience levels ranged from people with no bee hives and no
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
In May, the Kentucky State University autoclave was inspected and sterilized four "high intensity" grow bags for a local mushroom farmer. I also hooked up the autoclave trailer to take it on a test-drive. I hope to advertise the autoclave availability in future months to local beekeepers.
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
I attended two days of Canvas training, in an effort to create online resources for beginning beekeepers. The modules are currently empty, but the framework has been created.
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
I have set up a demonstration apiary in June. It was used with the Armed to Farm, an organization that helps veterans learn agriculture after they retire. It will be used for the KY Queen Bee Breeders Association annual meeting on July 20, the KY State University Summer Event on July 27 and three days of youth-oriented events on July 30, July 31 and Aug. 01.
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
Although it may not seem important, there are three different apiculture-entomology teams at KSU. We have overlapping interests, and so I've created an Outlook calendar so that we can see activities, schedule meetings, support each other when possible. Since we share vehicles, this calendar has already proven useful for conveying when the truck is in use and when it will be returned.
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Beekeeping
The Beekeeping 2.0 educational class series, developed in response to community feedback following the initial Intro to Beekeeping series, has made a substantial impact on local beekeepers and pollinator enthusiasts. The advanced courses, including Catching a Swarm, Planting for Pollinators, Opening and Exploring a Hive, and Extracting Honey, provided participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for successful beekeeping. This comprehensive curriculum, designed by Mercer a
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Beekeeping
The Beekeeping 2.0 educational class series, developed in response to community feedback following the initial Intro to Beekeeping series, has made a substantial impact on local beekeepers and pollinator enthusiasts. The advanced courses, including Catching a Swarm, Planting for Pollinators, Opening and Exploring a Hive, and Extracting Honey, provided participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for successful beekeeping. This curriculum, designed by Mercer and Boyle Count
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
My article, "Look for Laying Workers on First Spring Peek," was published in the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association March newsletter, Beelines. This newsletter is distributed to 600 members.
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
My article, "Potter runs Beginner Beekeeper mini-grants," was published in the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association April newsletter, Beelines. This newsletter is distributed to 600 members.
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
My article, "Fact Finding before You Go Swarm Catching," was published in the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association May newsletter, Beelines. This newsletter is distributed to 600 members.
Author: Tamara Potter
Major Program: Beekeeping
My article, "Small Hive Beetles--Pernicious Pests of Summer," was published in the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association June newsletter, Beelines. This newsletter is distributed to 600 members.
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Beekeeping
The problem is that beekeeping has long been a tradition in the Whitley County community, passed down through generations, and is increasingly influenced by modern sources like YouTube videos. While these resources offer a wealth of information, they often lack the scientific rigor needed to ensure the sustainability of beekeeping practices. As a result, many local beekeepers struggle to keep their honeybees alive for more than one season, leading to frustration and economic loss.The educational
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Beekeeping
Local Cooperative Extension Offices receive many questions on Beekeeping from new folks as well as veteran beekeepers. To provide education during the cold winter months the Buffalo Trace County Area offered a webinar series for beekeeping. Pre-registration was required to acquire emails to send Zoom links to for each session. Over 80 folks registered for the program with the average of 20-25 folks live for each session. Recordings were taken of each of the Zoom sessions
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Beekeeping
Honey production in Kentucky was valued at approximately $1.2 million in 2021 according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. However, that data does not even include the thousands of backyard beekeepers with less than 5 hives who also sell honey across the state. Further, the economic value of beekeeping goes far beyond just the sale of honey as bees across the United States provide pollination services valued at $15-20 billion nationwide each year.While recent improvements in b
