The Kentucky Master Beekeeping Program
Developed and directed by Thomas C. Webster, Kentucky State University
The Master Beekeeping program is designed toward two objectives: to help experienced beekeepers become more successful, and to serve Kentucky beekeeping.
For more information about this program contact:
Dr. Thomas C. Webster
Atwood Research Facility
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY 40601
Email: thomas.webster@kysu.edu
Phone: 502-597-6351 (office)
Beekeeping success is measured by (a) low colony losses, (b) good production of honey or other hive products, and (c) the ability to identify the most common beekeeping problems and concerns. Beekeepers should look for a goal of less than 10% loss yearly, and an average of over 50 pounds of honey per hive yearly. For example, a beekeeper who owns 20 hives should lose no more than two of those hives yearly (by winter loss, absconding, mites, starvation or other causes. Those beekeepers who focus on hive products other than honey may have alternative goals. These would be (a) rearing at least 10 queens yearly; (b) producing at least 10 nucs yearly, or (c) producing at least 5 pounds of clean wax yearly.
The Master Beekeeping Program is for beekeepers who have at least two years of experience keeping bees. The program consists of three steps. To prepare, the beekeeper should read my booklet, “Kentucky Beekeeping: a guide for beginners”, and a short book by Larry Connor, “Making Increase”. “Kentucky Beekeeping” is available for free to all Kentuckians. “Making Increase” is sold by Kelley Co., Dadant, and many other beekeeping supply companies. These cover the basics of hive management and some common problems. Step one is an exam on this material. This will be a written, indoor exam taking 20 – 30 minutes. Sample questions will be available to those who ask for them, to help in preparation. Beekeeping pests, predators and diseases will not be covered in step one. The beekeeper who passes this exam (at least 80% correct answers) will receive a booklet on honey bee pests and diseases. This is a very helpful booklet with color photos, produced by the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA). The beekeeper should study this to prepare for step three. Sample questions will be provided. Step two is an exam on beekeeping pests, predators, diseases and other issues such as queen problems and weather-related problems. This exam will be indoors and outdoors. The outdoor exam will require the beekeeper to demonstrate proper hive manipulations, to identify problems in hives, to explain or demonstrate the best remedial actions, and to explain how the problems can be avoided or minimized.
The test will be administered several times yearly. I will try to administer it at different locations across the state.
Service to Kentucky beekeeping is by a project of the beekeeper’s choice. This is step three. The beekeeper should contact me before performing one of these, so that we are sure about what should be done. I can offer advice if necessary. Each project should be documented with photos, and a letter from those who are helped (when appropriate) thanking you. These are suggestions :
- Assist one of the yearly “bee schools” by giving a presentation or demonstration on a practical topic. In most years these are conducted at Frankfort, Bowling Green/Allen County, Somerset, Hazard, Morehead, Graves County, Henderson. Additional locations may be added.
- Mentor at least 5 beginning beekeepers for at least one year (concurrently, or over a period of years).
- Establish a garden of novel bee plants and evaluate their nectar and pollen production, and the amount of time and money needed to establish them.
- Assist a college or university bee program. These are currently at Eastern Kentucky University (Tammy Horn), Berea College (Sean Clark), and Kentucky State University (Tom Webster)
- Establish and maintain an observation hive at a public building. This could be a zoo, museum, wildlife sanctuary, library or other building that receives many visitors. Describe the educational value of this observations hive, and any special problems or interesting observations.
- Work with at least 10 nearby beekeepers to monitor their successes and losses, according to their beekeeping practices. Write a report that summarizes your findings and suggestions for improved winter survival and yearly honey production.
- Test a novel beekeeping technique or device. (See suggestions below). Determine its effectiveness through a controlled study. You will need at least 10 hives to do this well. Five hives would be treated with the device or technique and five “control hives” would not. Take photos and report on your conclusions.
- Submit an article for publication in either American Bee Journal or Bee Culture. Contact the editor (Joe Graham or Kim Flottum, respectively) before submission to be sure that the editor considers it worthy of publication.
- Promote beekeeping-friendly legislation or regulations, which apply at the state or local level.
- Give at least 10 presentations to groups of children, in schools, 4H classes, or other organizations. These should be educational and appropriate to the age of the children.
- Have yourself interviewed on a beekeeping topic by news media – newspaper, magazine, television or radio. A lead-in might be tied to the time of year. September is National Honey Month. Earth Day is every April. Early spring is when beekeepers assess their wintering success.
- Use your hives to pollinate the crops of a farmer in your region. This requires that you write and sign a pollination contract with the farmer, move your hives into and out of the field or orchard at the appropriate times, and collect your pollination fee. Describe your observations and any special problems that come up.
- Remove a colony of bees from a house or other structure. This is no small achievement, and it must be done carefully. Be sure you have a good understanding with the property owner beforehand.
Te following are not acceptable for projects:
- Blogs and websites. There is already a huge amount of information on the internet, some good and some dubious. Instead, we need to focus on hands-on projects and face-to-face interactions.
- Projects relating to history, culture or religious significance of beekeeping. These subjects are fascinating and often inspirational. But I feel that they should not apply to what we are doing here -- a practical approach to better beekeeping.
Here are a few studies that would be appropriate for #7 above:
- Compare the effects of different feeding preparations (syrup made of table sugar vs corn syrup, or different pollen substitutes) for spring build-up or late-summer drought
- Compare several types of feeders
- Compare two or several methods of hive ventilation
- Compare two or several types of pollen traps
- Compare methods of preparing hives for winter
- Compare Styrofoam hives to standard wooden hives, during summer and winter
- Try any other system that seems intriguing and promising
