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
Fill in details later.The problemBeginning beekeeper needs mentors and support to be successful.The educational program responseMonthly beekeeping lessons and hands on demonstration with seasoned local experts.The participants/target audiencebeginning beekeepersOther partners (if applicable)State Assoc.Program impact or participant response.
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 Fristoe
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
