Virtual East Kentucky Beekeeping School was a great success with experience committee

The 11^th Annual East Kentucky Beekeeping School was held virtual in January 2021, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.   As plans begin in the summer it became evident by the planning committee that in person beekeeping school was not possible, so plans move forward to continue the very popular beekeeping school virtual through Zoom.  Be a virtual event became challenging with technology issues, but the committee along with local agriculture agents worked extremely hard to pull off a successful virtual event. The local county extension agents from across the area promoted and assisted with program.

Even with the virtual event we had more than 100 attend the school, including a reporter from the Farmer's Pride magazine which wrote an article about the school. The article not only focused on our Beekeeping School but also on women Beekeepers.

Classes this year included beginner and advanced beekeeping; which included marketing strategies, bee viruses, and assistant with farm agency programs.  The evaluation from the school showed an overwhelming positive response with an overall rating of 8 with 10 being the highest.  The evaluation also shown a great knowledge gain from the classes the participants attended.  Many comments include the appreciation of offering the school virtual, during the pandemic.  Survey results showed that almost half those in attendance preferred the virtual event for convenience.  Also of the surveys completed, we had an overwhelming number of first time participants of the school.   The Extension Service continues to be seen as playing a vital role in resources for bee production. This school is definitely allowing the public to be more aware of the potential in Beekeeping in Eastern Kentucky.