The topic of beekeeping is a popular subject among homeowners and commercial horticulturalist in the central Kentucky area.  Many counties have beekeeping clubs or associations for members to be part of, however with the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many groups were unable to meet for several months and many horticulture agents had not held a beekeeping program for over a year.  While staying within COVID guidelines and following University of Kentucky recommendations to keep programs virtual for a time, the horticulture agents in Bourbon, Harrison, and Mercer counties decided to offer a virtual beekeeping program with the State Apiarist, Tammy Potter.   

The Bourbon County agent secured the speaker and worked on a class evaluation, the Harrison County agent handled the registration process, and the Mercer County agent made the marketing materials.  The online class was held on May 13, 2021, via zoom, with Tammy Horn Potter, State Apiarist giving a report on beekeeping in the state, beekeeping tips to be successful, troubleshooting problems, and issues for beekeepers to be on the lookout for.   

The attendance represented eight different counties within central Kentucky and participants ranged greatly in experience levels.  Based on the survey given, participants currently had from 2 beehives up to 200.   Participants ranked themselves as 75% having some experience to 25% having many years of experience.  

From survey results, 100% of participants indicated the speaker provided useful information, they learned new information during the program, and they learned something new about the state apiarist office and their services.  

Of those that completed the survey 100% stated that because of the discussions held during the program, they would make some changes to their beekeeping operation.  Some of the improvements stated were implement treatment options for mites, more effectively monitor varroa mites, increase the frequency of mite testing to have better mite control, checking mite levels with alcohol wash, and better monitoring of mites and treatments.

Participants were very interactive even with the limitations of a virtual class.  Many questions were asked and answered and participants who completed the survey provided several suggestions for follow-up beekeeping classes which the horticulture agents hope to offer in the near future.