Beekeeping is a way to potentially increase income sources on the farm, or homestead. A variety of products including honey, wax, and many value added products such as soaps, lotions, and others can be sold. Bees are also very important for their role in pollinating various crops such as vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees. 

Several research studies have also indicated that pollinator insects, including honey bees, have been on the decline. With associated opportunities and renewed efforts to reverse the trend of pollinator decline, interest in beekeeping in Madison County has grown.

 In 2013, the Madison County Beekeepers Association was established by the Madison County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Extension Agriculture intern Sean Bessin. Our association began meeting on the 4^th Monday of each month. These gatherings are designed to provide an opportunity for beekeepers at various levels of expertise to share ideas with each other, provide updates on hive status/conditions in the area, and to create an opportunity for networking and education from university, hobby, professional and industry representatives.

Increased educational opportunities for beekeepers in the eastern Bluegrass Region has been needed for some time. One goal of the Madison County Beekeepers Association has always been to reach out to anyone interested in beekeeping. Thereby having regularly partnered with groups and associations from surrounding counties for various events.

Filling an unmet need in beekeeping education, the Clark, Powell, Madison, and Estill County Cooperative Extension Services collaborated to conduct the Eastern Bluegrass Bee School in February 2018. This was a one day school designed to provide learning opportunities for both new and advance beekeepers. Dr. Tom Webster, Kentucky State University Apiary Extension Specialist, covered the basics of beekeeping and shared proper hive management activities needed throughout the year. He also discussed basic beekeeping supplies needed, hive pest management practices, purchasing bees, and much more. Dr. Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky Extension Entomologist, discussed methods for protecting bees from pesticides and the new Kentucky Pollinator Alert. 

There were 80 participants that attended the bee school. A survey at the end of the program indicated 85% of the participants learned about recommended beekeeping practices which they had not known previously, 86% learned information about starting a hive, and 91% learned new hive pest management practices or would alter or adopt new methods as a result of attending the school. The survey also indicated that in general, 93% of participants planned to alter or implement new beekeeping practices they learned.

All participants indicated that they would like to see the school conducted again in the spring of 2019.