Summary
The Georgia Master Beekeeper program seeds local communities around the Southeast and nationally with knowledgeable ambassadors for the cause of honey bees, other pollinators, and science-based environmental stewardship.
Situation
Honey bees and the beekeeping industry are societal assets that need to be valued and sustained. Honey bees not only provide honey, but they are the world's most manageable pollinator, a source of healthful recreation for hundreds of thousands, and a viable direct contributor to agricultural production. Honey bees, along with other biotic pollinators, are threatened by many environmental stressors. Providing communities with trained and vetted experts on pollinators is an investment for science literacy and environmentally-sound local policies.
Response
In 2002, the organizers of the annual Young Harris Beekeeping Institute inaugurated the Georgia Master Beekeeper program, building on models developed decades earlier by Cornell University and the Eastern Apicultural Society. Participants progress through four grades of increasing complexity and demands - Certified (entry level), Journeyman, Master, and Master Craftsman. The most difficult bottleneck is the Journeyman stage where participants must pass - with a perfect score of 100% - two grueling tests on insect and disease identification. The highest grade, Master Craftsman, requires an independent research project, an activity portfolio, and an oral theoretical and practical exam; it is intended to approximate the experience of a MS program. Two of these Master Craftsman projects have resulted in refereed scientific publications.
Impact
Popular demand has led us to expand Master Beekeeper training and testing sites to two deputized and vetted local beekeeping clubs - the Tri-County (Maysville area) and Metro (Atlanta) Beekeepers Associations. Additionally, in a high-visibility outreach effort the Master Beekeeper program has been extended to inmates in Georgia prisons http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/NewsRoom/PressReleases/master-beekeeping-program-begin-lee-state-prison. The addition of these multiple venues has led to a rapid increase in participation. In 2021, the 1000th participant passed her Certified exam and was inducted into the program. At press time, the Georgia Master Beekeeper program has 1081 participants representing 21 states, 381 zip codes, and two countries.
State Issue
Sustainability, Conservation, & the Environment
Details
-
Year:
2021
-
Geographic Scope:
International
-
County:
Clarke
-
Location:
College Station, Athens
-
Program Areas:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
