Four beekeeping associations and three related businesses in western Kentucky collaborated with Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents from five counties to offer the 3rd Annual Bee School at the Marshall County Extension Office. Program topics were organized into beginning and advanced tracks. Fifty-one people attended from seven counties in Kentucky and two from Illinois. Eight had not attended a bee school before.

Topics included advanced and basic beekeeping, basic equipment, top bar hives, value added products, pests, diseases, dowsing for bees, planting for bees, beekeeping activities for each season, and a panel discussion. Top Bar Hives

Dowsing for BeesBeekeeping Equipment 

Panel of Experts

Sessions were rated on evaluations. 93-100% reported the program was very good-excellent. Participants indicated that they appreciated a program close to home, relevant topics, listening to others with issues and how they resolved them, and the knowledge of all the instructors. Beginners found it very useful and all enjoyed talking with other beekeepers.

The program was offered on a Saturday enabling more full time workers to attend. The attendees were diverse. They included female and African American beekeepers, as well as, families which included youth participants.

The agents and collaborators who hosted this program hope to continue this yearly offering.