Describe the Issue or Situation. Currently, there is a disease that affects honey bees called American foulbrood, for which there is no cure.  In 2023, a company released a vaccine made from dead American foulbrood bacterium with conditional approval from Environmental Protection Agency.  In working with the KY Queen Bee Breeders Association, I was able to apply for funds to purchase this new vaccine and demonstrate to beekeepers how they can use it to protect their hives.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).  The vaccine will be mixed into "queen candy," a powdered sugar mixture plus the vaccine, that is fed to young honey bees who produce royal jelly.  The royal jelly will then be fed to the queen, who will consume the dead bacterium.  Immunity is then passed through her ovaries to the eggs she lays.  

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.  There will be four workshops around the state, and the target audience will be beekeepers.  The workshop may be limited by the room available, but as long as the beekeeper becomes a member of KQBBA, they will have access to the Zoom meetings that the association president will arrange throughout the year.  Furthermore, since this vaccine has not been distributed in Kentucky, the association will be working closely with Kentucky State University and the vaccine manufacturer to work out any "kinks" in the process.  

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.