Honeybees
State Apiarist
Tthe Kentucky State Apiarist.identifies and eradicates infectious disease in honeybee colonies. In addition the State Apiarist helps to educate the non- beekeeping public about the importance of honeybees, and offers best advice practice to the beekeeping community. Hive inspections are available with an appointment, and health certificates are provided for the transport of bees out of state. The State Apiarist is also available to speak at beekeeping meetings and various other functions.
Kentucky State Apiarist Articles
Featured Article: What Is A Double Screen?
A double screen is just what its name implies, two screens divided with a wooden frame in between. Double screens are useful for swarm prevention and to create a cell building unit above a queen right hive. Double screens can be used to cure a colony of laying workers.
A double screen has 3 closable openings, allowing the bees above it access to the outside world. Two nucleus colonies can be placed above it, or in one ten frame box. The openings will allow this option.
Swarm Prevention
Signs of swarming activity may include:
If Your Colony Has Gone Into Swarm Mode
Set a box next to your colony; remove the frame with the newly constructed queen cells. Examine the cells to determine if they contain larvae. If capped queen cells are present, remove all but the two best looking cells (the other cells may be used if needed in other boxes or splits). These cells will be the largest with the most stippling on their surface, probably indicating they had the best food and care, prior to being capped over.
Be sure to do a close examination of this frame and make sure your queen is not on the frame. If she is, either cage her temporarily (hair clip queen catchers work good for this) or move her to another frame. Move this frame (with the queen cells) to the center of the box that will go on top of the double screen.
Select two other frames containing brood in various stages (with clinging nurse bees) and place these in the box as well. Next move two more frames with pollen and honey and place these on the outsides of the other frames. Finish filling this box with frames of drawn comb if available, blank foundation if not. Select some frames with clinging nurse bees and shake these into the new box as well.
You want a high ratio of nurse bees in this box. This box will need to be fed as you will not have foraging bees present. This can be done with a division board feeder placed in the box on the wall, or with the addition of some kind of top feeder. Replace the frames in the box you took the resources from; use either blanks or drawn comb. If you confined your queen during these manipulations, release your queen back into the box she came from.
Place the double screen on top of the queen right colony below and set your newly constructed box on top of the double screen. Open the entrance on the double screen that is 180 degrees opposite the box below. Any foraging bees you have moved to the top box will return to the colony below, and the nurse bees will stay with the brood and queen cells.
The first queen to emerge from the cell will kill the other queen that has not emerged. She will harden over the next couple of days and then take one or more orientation flights. Finally, she will fly to a drone congregation area to mate with 10-20 drones. She may take mating flights on successive days depending on weather conditions and her success in mating. When she returns to the hive she will begin to lay eggs. This colony is now ready to move to its own bottom board.
Now you have a new colony without having had to chase it when it would have swarmed. You have also tricked the parent colony into thinking that they have swarmed. If something happens to the virgin in the top box and she does not return from her mating flight you can simply remove the double screen and recombine the colony, while still having prevented the swarm.
Double Screens For Cell Builders
If you graft queens you will need a place to put the cells so that nurse bees will feed and care for them. A double screen can be used to create a cell building unit over a queen right colony. The box over the double screen is stocked much in the same way you do it for swarm prevention, but without the addition of naturally occurring queen cells. To be safe you should not stock this unit with eggs or young larvae either. The reason being; if you have larvae that are between 4-20 hours old, the bees may decide to construct an additional queen cell on a frame below your grafted cells. If this happens, and this queen emerges before you remove your grafted cells, she could kill your whole graft.
This unit also needs to be stuffed with nurse bees and fed heavily. You may also consider not opening the door to the cell building unit for two days. Grafts are introduced 24 hours after construction of this unit.
Double Screens To Cure A Hive Of Laying Workers
If you come across a hive that has become hopelessly queenless, the workers may have taken it upon themselves to begin to lay eggs. Of course these workers carry no sperm, having never taken a mating flight and can only lay unfertilized eggs, which will emerge as drones.
You might think you can easily just requeen this hive but you would be wrong. The colony believes it has a queen due to the activities of the laying workers, and will quickly kill any introduced queen.
One way to cure this would be to provide frames of eggs and brood in various stages every week until they make their own queen. Another way would be to place two sheets of newspaper over a queen right hive and place the colony of laying workers above them. In a few days, the bees will have chewed through the newspaper and will have combined. This colony can be split later. Or you could place a double screen over a queen right colony, and then place the colony of laying workers above it for a couple of days. It is thought that the pheromones from the developing brood below will dry up the ovaries of the laying workers above.
As you can see, double screens can be a good tool to have around.
Additional Articles:
• Honeybees & Drought
• Swarming or, what is that ball of bees doing in my tree?
• Hive and Apiary Inspections
• Use of Honeybee Disease Medications and Pest Control Products
Kentucky Master Beekeeping Program
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 and 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.
-
The 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
Kentucky Beekeeping Association Listing and Contacts
Kentucky's beekeeping associations are a great source of beekeeping information and assistance for Kentucky beekeepers. Beekeeping associations hold regularly scheduled meetings and other activities. Contact the individual beekeeping associations for more information (see individual listings below). Please check this page often for more information as we will update regularly.Statewide Beekeeping Association Kentucky State Beekeeping Association (KSBA)
KSBA is a statewide organization dedicated to the promotion of honeybees and beekeeping and to providing a forum for training in the art of beekeeping and the production of honey. The association publishes a bimonthly newsletter, and holds three beekeeping conferences each year.
For more information contact:
Randy Ison, President
3806 Hickory Hill Dr
Somerset, KY 42503
Phone: (606) 679-1094
Email: rjison02@windstream.net
Listing alphabetical by county in which most meetings are held.
Allen County Beekeepers Association, Scottsville , KY
Serves Allen, Barren, Monroe, Warren, and Simpson counties and surrounding area. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 PM Central Time at the Allen County Extension Service Building, 200 East Main Street, Scottsville, KY. Each year the beekeepers of the Allen County Beekeepers Assoc. conduct a one day beekeeping school - the Allen County Beekeeping School.2012 Allen County Beekeeping School, Scottsville, KY, February 4, 2012
Allen County High School
Scottsville, KY
No pre-registration required - at the door registration only - no limits on enrollment numbers!
Registration fee (lunch NOT included): Individuals - $10 and family $15
For more information contact John Pace, school coordinator (270) 651-6507 or email him at: jlpace@glasgow-ky.com In addition some local beekeeping associations will be conducting beginner classes, many of these classes are promoted locally only (they will not have information on this webpage), so inquire with a local beekeeping association near to see if any classes are being offered.
For more information contact:
Harris Overholt, Treasurer
Phone: (270) 622-5286
Email Contact: John Hepner, President
Jhep3@att.net visit their web page at: http://www.allenkybees.com/
The Licking River Beekeepers Association Owingsville, KY
Serves Bath county and surrounding area. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM at the Bath County Extension office, 2914 E Hwy 60, Owingsville, KY. Each year the beekeepers of the Licking River Beekeepers Assoc. help sponsor a one day bekeeping school - the Eastern Kentucky Beekeeping School, which is held in Morehead, KY.For more information contact:
Jim Coss, President
Phone: (606) 207-7785
Contact: jcoss@thehoneyandbeeconnection.com
Meetings for Beekepers in Bourbon County, Paris, KY
County Extension agent periodically conducts meetings for beekeepers at the Bourbon County Extension Office at 603 Millersburg Road, Paris, KY. For more information, or to be placed on the mailing list to be notified of these meetings, contact:Ray Tackett, Bourbon County Horticulture Extension Agent
284 Second Street
Paris, KY 40361
Phone: (859) 987-1895
Email: atackett@email.uky.edu
Northeast Kentucky Beekeepers , Ashland, KY
Serves Boyd County, and surrounding area. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, at 6:00PM, at the Boyd County Extension Office, 2420 Center Street, Catlettsburg, Kentucky.For more information, contact:
Lori Bowling
Boyd County Extension Agent for Horticulture
Phone: (606) 739-5184
Email: lbbowlin@uky.edu
Green River Swarm Catchers Association, Morgantown, KY
Serves the Butler County Area. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM in Morgantown, KY at the Butler County Extension Office, on the corner of Warren and G. L. Smith Streets.For more information contact:
Bobby McKee, President
Morgantown, KY
Phone: (270) 999-1488
EMail Contact: flintman1@bellsouth.net
Northern Kentucky Beekeepers Association, Alexandria, KY
Serves Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties and the surrounding area. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM, meeting site is alternated between the Campbell County Extension Office, Highland Heights, KY and the Boone County Extension Office in Burlington, KY.For more information, contact:
Susie Kahmann, President
Highland Heights, KY
Phone: (859) 781-8977
Email: bluskyhuny@aol.com
www.nkybeekeepers.com
Three Rivers Beekeepers Association, Carrollton, KY
Serves Carroll County and surrounding area. Meetings are held at the Carroll County Extension office. For meeting dates and time, contact the association president (see below).For more information contact:
Donna Marshall, President
Sanders, KY
Phone: (502) 347-5640
Email: BNMarsha@bellsouth.net
The Little Sandy Beekeepers, Grayson, KY
Serves Carter, Lewis, Greenup, Boyd, Elliott, Lawrence Counties and surrounding area. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM at the Carter County Extension Office in Grayson, KY.For more information contact:
John Blasius, President
Dennis Seagraves, Vice President
88 Upper Smokey Rd
Olive Hill, KY 41164
Phone: (606) 286-5893
www.littlesandybeekeepers.com
www.facebook.com/TheLittleSandyBeekeepersClub
Pennyrile Beekeepers Association, Hopkinsville, KY
Serves Christian, Trigg, Todd, Hopkins, Caldwell counties and surrounding area. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 PM typically at the Christian County Cooperative Extension Education Center, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville, KY. (Contact Sergeant-at-Arms to obtain location information.)For more information, contact:
President: Jonathan Arvin, (270) 365-6926, jonthebaptist23@hotmail.com
Or other current officers:
Vice President: Tony Prettyman, (270) 348-3675, bramble.bee.farm@gmail.com
Sgt-at-Arms: Joe Hester, (270) 885-5573
Secretary: Alethia Prettyman, (270) 498-4171, bramble.bee.farm@gmail.com
Clinton County Beekeepers Association, Albany, KY
Serves Clinton County and the surrounding area. Meetings are normally held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM Central Time at the Clinton County Extension Office, 2601 N Highway 127, Albany, KY.For more information contact:
Val Lulaks
Phone: (606) 387-4258
Email: plulaks@windstream.net
Green Valley Beekeeping Association, Owensboro, KY
Serves Daviess county and surrounding counties. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 PM Central Time at the Owensboro Science and History Museum in Owensboro, KY.For more information contact:
Jim Huff
Fordsville, KY
Phone: (270) 276-3688
Email: Kyhoneyman@aol.com
Mammoth Cave Beekeepers Association, Brownsville, KY
The Mammoth Cave Beekeepers Association serves Edmonson County and the surrounding area. Meeting are held on the first Tuesday evening of each month beginning at 6:30 PM CT at the Edmonson County Public Libray located at 280 Ferguson Street in Brownsville.For more information contact:
Barry Cowles, President
Phone: (270) 597-2001
E-mail: Poppy2455@windstream.net Or
Grace Moore, Secretary
Phone: (270) 597-8166
Email: jngmoore@hotmail.com
Blue Grass Beekeepers Association, Lexington, KY
Serves Fayette County and surrounding area. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Fayette County Extension Office, 1140 Red Mile Place, Lexington, KY. (But no meetings in January & August - visit the Bees & Honey area with us at the KY State Fair in August).For more information contact:
James E. Davis, Secretary/Newsletter Editor
Stamping Ground, KY 40379
Phone: (502) 857-2272
Email Contact: mandjed371@email.msn.com
bluegrassbeekeepers.blogspot.com
Floyd County Beekeepers Association, Prestonsburg , KY
Meetings are held at the Floyd County Extension Office in Prestonsburg, KY. For more information, or to be placed on the mailing list to be notified of these meetings, contactKeith Hackworth, Floyd County Agriculture Extension Agent
921 South Lake Drive
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Phone: (606) 886-2668
Email: khackwor@uky.edu
Capital City Beekeepers Association, Frankfort, KY
Serves Franklin County and the surrounding area. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Dadant & Sons Branch in Frankfort (955 Chenault Road).For more information contact:
Michael C. Wiley, SR., Secretary
Stamping Ground, KY
Phone: (502) 535-7051
Email: kyfancy2@aol.com
Kentucky Backyard Beekeepers Association, Williamstown, KY
Serves Grant County and surrounding area. Meetings are held at the Grant County Cooperative Extension Office, 105 Baton Rouge Road in Williamstown, KY on the second Monday of the month at 7:00PM.For more information contact:
Jim Brown, President
Phone: (859) 428-1896
Email: flyboy1937@hotmail.com
Marvin Lawrence, Treasurer
Phone: (859) 824-7264
Email: cumminslnfarm@aol.com
Nancy Ogg, Secretary/Media Coordinator
Phone: (859) 250-9204
Email: shadygrovefarm@wkybb.net
Lake Barkley Beekeepers Association, Paducah, KY
Serves the counties of the Jackson Purchase Region of Western Kentucky, as well as the Purchase Region in both Kentucky and the neighboring states. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 6:30PM, at the Graves County Extension Office, 251 Housman Street, Mayfield, Kentucky. The association conducts a four day series of beekeeping classes in April of each year. Classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes for advanced beekeepers include queen rearing. Space is limited, contact Kent Williams for more information.For more information contact:
Kent Williams, President
Phone: (270) 382-2348
Email: kvwilliams@wk.net
Grayson County Beekeepers Association, Leitchfield, KY
Serves Grayson County and surrounding area. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month (except November and December), at the Grayson County Extension Office in Leitchfield, KY, at 6:30 PM.For more information contact:
Joe Taylor, President
Leitchfield KY
Phone: (270) 879-8654
Email: shopteacher@gmail.com
Sonora Bee Catchers, Sonora, KY
Serves Hardin County and the surrounding area. Meetings are held every 3rd Thursday, except special call meetings in November and December, at the residence of Howard Halterman at 3633 Nolin Road, Sonora. Meeting times are: 6:00PM Eastern Time in winter & 7:00PM Eastern in summer.For more information contact:
Howard Halterman, president
Sonora, KY
Phone: (240) 527-1438
Email: John Farris: farrisj4038@msn.com
Harlan County Beekeepers Association, Harlan , KY
Meetings are held on the first Tuesday at 6:00PM, at the Harlan County Extension Office in Harlan, KY.For more information, or to be placed on the mailing list to be notified of these meetings, contact:
Jeremy Williams, Harlan County Agriculture Extension Agent
519 South Main St.
Harlan, KY 40831-1911
Phone: (606) 573-4464
Email: jnwillia@uky.edu
Audubon Beekeepers Association, Spottsville, KY
Serves Henderson county and surrounding counties. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00PM Central Time, except January (and September, when they have their fall field day on the 2nd Saturday instead). Meetings are held at the Henderson County Extension's Expo and Education Center at 3341 Hwy 351East (Directions) in Henderson, KY. The Audubon Beekeepers Assoc. hosts the Audubon Beekeeping School each year on the first Saturday in March.For more information contact:
Paul or Betsy Stone
Spottsville, KY
Phone: (270) 826-2767
Email: bpstoneky@bellsouth.net
Dark Honey Producers, McKee, KY
Serves Jackson county and surrounding area. Conducts spring and fall meetings at the Jackson County Extension Office.For more information contact:
Sharon Witt, Secretary
Tyner, KY
Phone: (606) 965-3790
Email: Jeff Henderson at jhenders@uky.edu
Kentuckiana Beekeepers Association, Louisville, KY
Serves Jefferson county and the surrounding counties, including Southern Indiana. Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month (except for scheduled field days) at the Bon Air Regional Library, 2816 Del Rio Place, Louisville, KY.For more information contact:
Wendy Hagan, President
12949 Shelbyville Rd, Suite 101
Louisville, KY 40243
Phone: (502) 523-1315
Email: wendy@haganmail.com
Or go to their web page: www.kyanabees.com
Southeast Beekeepers Association, London, KY
Serves Laurel County, and surrounding area. Meetings are held March - October at the Laurel County Extension Office at 200 County Extension Road, London, KY on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM Eastern time.For more information contact:
Bonnie Sigmon, Laurel County Horticulture Agent
Laurel County Extension Office
Phone: (606) 864-4167
Email: bonnie.sigmon@uky.edu
www.ca.uky.edu/laurel
Mountain Beekeepers Association, Whitesburg, KY
Serves Letcher County and surrounding counties in Kentucky and southwestern Virginia. Most meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Letcher County Extension Office in Whitesburg, KY.For more information, contact:
Allen Meyers
303 Adams Branch
Jeremiah, KY 41826
Phone: (606) 633-7044
Email: allenandruby@tvscable.com
Meetings for Beekepers in Lewis County, Vanceburg, KY
County Extension agent periodically conducts meetings for beekeepers at the Lewis County Extension Office at 284 Second Street, Vanceburg, KY. DirectionsFor more information, or to be placed on the mailing list to be notified of these meetings, contact:
Philip Konopka, Lewis County Agriculture Extension Agent
284 Second Street
Vanceburg, KY 41179
Phone: (606) 796-2732
Email: philip.konopka@uky.edu
Lincoln County Beekeepers INC., Stanford, KY
Serves Lincoln County and surrounding area; Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at the Lincoln County extension office at 104 Metker Trail in Stanford Kentucky.For more information contact:
Paul Sluder
Eubank,KY
Phone: (606) 219-7235
Email: psluder1@windstream.net
Western Kentucky Beekeepers, Eddyville, KY
Serves Lyon County and the surrounding area. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00PM (central time) at the Lyon County Extension office at 231 West Main Street in Eddyville.For more information contact:
David or Beth Duncan
Princeton, KY
Phone: 270-388-9223 (home) or 270-601-0048 (cell)
Email: bdduncan1@bellsouth.net
Big South Fork Beekeepers Association, Whitley City, KY
Serves McCreary County and the surrounding area. Meetings are held on the second Friday, at 7:00 PM at the McCreary County Extension Office which is located in the McCreary Center of Somerset Community College in Whitley City, KY.For more information, contact:
James Foster, President
Stearns, KY
Phone: (606) 376-5428
Email: gagie@highland.net or
Greg Whitis, McCreary County Agriculture Extension Agent
Phone: 606-376-2524
Email: gwhitis@uky.edu
Magoffin County Beekeepers Association, Salyersville, KY
Serves Magoffin County and the surrounding area. Meetings are normally held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Magoffin County Extension Office, 15 Rockhouse Fork Rd, Salyersville, KY.For more information contact:
Russell Sparks, Magoffin County Agriculture Extension Agent
Phone: (606) 349-3216
Email: rsparks@uky.edu
Martin County Beekeepers Association, Inez, KY
The Martin County Beekeepers Association meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 pm. Meetings are held at the Martin County Extension Service Farmers' Market Shed in Inez, KY.For more information, or to be placed on the mailing list to be notified of these meetings, contact:
Roger Mollette, Martin County Extension Service
Inez, KY
Phone: (606) 298-7742
Email: rmollett@uky.edu
Buffalo Trace Beekeepers Association, Maysville, KY
Serving all counties in the Buffalo Trace region and surrounding counties. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 6:30PM at the Mason County Extension office, Maysville Kentucky. Pot luck supper and an educational topic at every meeting.For more information contact:
Ron Nadicksbernd, President
Foster KY
Phone: (606) 747-5635
Email: Nadicks@windstream.net
Meade County Beekeepers Association, Brandenburg, KY
Serves Meade County and the surrounding area. Meetings are normally held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM (but dates are subject to change - contact to confirm).Meade County Extension Office
1041 Old Ekron Road
Brandenburg, KY
For more information contact:
Shird Robinson, president
Ekron, KY
Phone: (270) 828-2549
Email: shird825@bbtel.com
Cave Run Beekeepers Association, Frenchburg, KY
Serves Menifee County, and surrounding area. Meetings are held at the Menifee County Extension Office in Frenchburg, KY on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. No meeting held in January.For more information contact:
Jim Coss, president
Morehead, KY
Phone: (606) 784-3108
Email: jcoss@thehoneyandbeeconnection.com
Paradise Beekeepers Association, Central City, KY
Serves Muhlenberg County and the surrounding counties. Meetings are held on the third Monday at 6:00 PM Central Time at the Muhlenberg County Extension office at Powderly, KY (directions to extension office).For more information contact:
Shirley Stirsman, president
Central City, KY
Phone: (270) 525-6153
Email: j.stirsman@wildblue.net
Nelson County Beekeepers, Bardstown, KY
Serves Nelson County and the surrounding areas. Meetings are held at the Nelson County Extension Office located at 317 S 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004-1032 on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM.For more information contact:
Gene Englert, President
Bardstown, KY
Phone: (502) 409-0989
Email: gtenglert@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/groups/473089399421953/
Oldham County Beekeepers Association, Buckner, KY
Serves Oldham and surrounding counties. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except for scheduled field days) at 7:30 PM at the Oldham County Extension Office.For more information, contact:
Terry L. McDonald,, President
Balardsville, KY
Phone: (502) 722-2062
Email: ziti07@bellsouth.net
Pike County Beekeepers Association, Pikeville, KY
Serves Pike County and surrounding area. Beekeeper meetings are held at the Pike County Extension Office in Pikeville, KY.For more information, contact:
Neil Hunt, president
Raccoon, KY
Phone: (606) 437-0472
Email: mossyoak3000@yahoo.com
Powell County Beekeepers Association, Stanton, KY
Serves Powell County and the surrounding area. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month (but not every month, so contact Mike Reed for meeting dates) at 6:30PM, at the Powell County Extension Office, 169 Maple Street, Stanton, Kentucky.For more information, and to confirm meeting dates, contact:
Mike Reed, Powell County Cooperative Extension Program
Stanton KY
Phone: (606) 663-6405
Email: mreed@uky.edu
Lake Cumberland Beekeepers Association, Somerset, KY
Serves Pulaski County and surrounding area. Meetings are held on third Monday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Pulaski County Extension Office, 29 Parkway Drive, Somerset KY.For more information contact:
Ray Tucker, president
Somerset, KY
Phone: 606-679-5257 (home)
859-221-1994 (cell)
Email: ray@solarplacefarm.com
Russell County Bee Club, Russell Springs. KY
Serves Russell County and the surrounding counties. Meetings are normally held on the first Monday of the month, at 6:00PM Central Time, at the Russell County Extension Office at 2688 S. Hwy 127 in Russell Springs.For more information, and to confirm meeting dates, contact:
Laura Rogers
KSU Small Farm Assistant, Russell County Cooperative Extension Program
Russell Springs, KY
Phone: (270) 866-4477
Shelby County Beekeepers Association, Shelbyville, KY
Serves Shelby County and surrounding area. Meetings are held at the Shelby County Extension office, on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00PM.For more information contact:
Danny Keeton
Shelbyville, KY
Phone: (502) 647-3252
Email: demond072@msn.com
Green River Beekeeping Association, Campbellsville, KY
Serves Adair, Green, Marion and Taylor Counties. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Taylor County Extension Office in Campbellsville.For more information contact:
Greg Mabrey, president
Coxs Creek, KY
Phone: (502) 349-3023
Email: acct_greg@yahoo.com
Warren County Beekeepers Association, Bowling Green, KY
Serves Warren County and surrounding area. Meetings are held at the Warren County Extension Office in Bowling Green, KY on the fourth Tuesday of the month.For more information contact:
Carol Schreiber, Warren County Horticulture Extension Agent
Bowling Green, KY
Daytime Phone: (270) 842-1681
Email: Carol.schreiber@uky.edu
Lincoln Trails Beekeepers Association, Springfield, KY
Serves Washington County, Nelson County and surrounding area. Meetings are held at the Washington County Extension ofice, at 211 Progress Ave. (directions), in Springfield, on the first Monday of the month at 6:30PM.For more information contact:
Bill Carrico
Phone: (859) 336-3759
Email: rosiebill@bellsouth.net
Whitley County Beekeepers, Corbin, KY
Serves Whitley and surrounding Counties. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, March through October, at 7:00 PM at the Whitley County Extension Office in Williamsburg, KY.For more information contact:
JR Watson, President
Corbin, KY
Phone: (606) 304-5674
Email: watsonfolks@juno.com
List of Major Beekeeper Suppliers*
This is a listing of beekeeping equipment suppliers that Kentucky beekeepers often do business with*. If you know of a beekeeing supply company that you think should be added to this list, please contact the State Apiarist with the name and contact information for the company. Kentucky locations in italics!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.
| This is a listing of beekeeping equipment suppliers that Kentucky beekeepers often do business with*. If you know of a beekeeing supply company that you think should be added to this list, please contact the State Apiarist with the name and contact information for the company. Kentucky locations in italics! |
| Betterbee, Inc. 8 Meader Road Greenwich, NY 12834 Phone: 1-800-632-3379 (toll free) Email: betterbee@betterbee.com Website: http://www.betterbee.com/ |
| Brushy Mountain Bee Farm 610 Bethany Church Rd. Moravian Falls, NC 28654 Phone: 1-800-233-7929 (toll free) Email: sales@beeequipment.com Website: http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/ |
| Clearbranch Bee Supply 9390 Old Ky. 15 Pine Ridge, Ky. 41360 Owner: Michael Tyra Phone: 606-663-4129) Email: clearbranch636@yahoo.com Website: http://www.clearbranchbeesupply.com We make wooden ware in 8 and 10 frame sizes including shallow, medium., and deep frames, we also supply foundation. Will ship any where in the U.S.A. |
| Dadant & Sons, Inc. - Frankfort, KY Branch Branch Manager: Clay Guthrie 955 Chenault Road, Building D Frankfort, KY 40601 Phone: 1-888-922-3268 (toll free) Email: cguthrie@dadant.com Website: http://www.dadant.com/ |
| The Honey & Bee Connection 80 Emory Branch Rd. Morehead, KY40351 Owners Jim & Greg Coss Phone: 606-784-3108 Cell: 606- 207-7785 E-Mail: jcoss@thehoneyandbeeconnection.com Web Site: www.thehoneyandbeeconnection.com |
| Mann Lake Supply 501 s. 1st Street Hackensack, MN 56452 Phone: 1-800-233-6663 (toll free) Email: beekeeper@mannlakeltd.com Website: http://www.mannlakeltd.com |
| Miller Bee Supply Inc. 496 Yellow Banks Road North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Phone: 888-848-5184 (toll free) Email: woodnwax@embarqmail.com Website: http://www.millerbeesupply.com |
| Simpson's Bee Supply 15642 Tiger Valley RD Danville, Ohio 43014 Phone: (740) 599-7914 or (740) 393-2111 Email: cwsimpson@earthlink.net Website:http://www.simpsonsbeesupply.com/ |
| Rossman Apiaries Inc. GA Hwy 33 North P. O. Box 909 Moultrie, Georgia 31776-0909 Phone: 1-800-333-7677 (toll free) Email: rossmanbees@alltel.net Website: http://www.gabees.com/ |
| Walter T. Kelley Co., Inc. 807 West Main Street Clarkson, KY 42726-0240 Phone: 1-800- 233-2899 (toll free) Email: sales@kelleybees.com Website: http://www.kelleybees.com/ |
| *(The Kentucky Department of Agriculture does not endorse or guarantee any product or producer listed on this site. External links are provided as a service to consumers seeking information about beekeeping equipment. Efforts are made to promote news and consumer choices about beekeeping equipment, but the Kentucky Department of Agriculture makes no representation or guarantee as to the company or products.) |
- Kentucky Beekeeping-A Guide for Beginners
Program Links
- KY Apiary Statute
Licensing and Laws
- 2013 KY State Beekeepers Meeting
- Kentucky State Beekeepers Association (KSBA)
- Cooperative Extension "Bee Health" webpage
- USDA Bee Lab Beltsville, Maryland
- USDA Bee Lab Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- USDA Bee Lab Weslaco, Texas
- USDA Bee Lab Tuscon, Arizona
- Eastland Apicultural Society
- Heartland Apicultural Society
- Mid Atlantic Apiculture Research & Extension Consortium
- Healthy capped brood
- American Beekeeping Federation
- University of Nebraska Apiculture Page
- University of California at Davis Apiculture Newsletter