Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 Master Beekeeping Programs Is it Time for Colorado? Carolina Nyarady & Bob Shiflet

Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 Current Master Beekeeping Programs EAS = EXISTING = NEW! 5 8 = REGIONAL 13 of 50 STATES 26% 2 1

Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 Reasons to have a MBK Program Standardized Training Topics for Beekeepers Standardized, Objective Testing and Evaluation – Progression Path for General to Expert Knowledge – Beekeepers Association Qualification Recognition Provide Beekeepers with Recognized Regional Expertise – Instructors, Presenters, Honeybee Pest & Disease Inspectors Affiliation Pathway with Other State Associations A “Living” Recommended Reading List And Last but not Least, Social Networking!! – Mentoring at each level – Q&A plus Lessons Learned at each Level 3

Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 Who Runs the Current Programs Eastern Apicultural Society – Committee & Board administers training & testing University Run – NY (Cornell), GA (UofGA), FL (UFL), NE (UofNE), MT (UofMT) Shared between State Association, University, & NC Dept of Agriculture – NC Shared between State Association & University – VA (VATech), SC (Clemson) State Association Run – AL, NC, OH, OR, WA, WV 4

Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 How are Levels Currently Identified Eight use historical “Guild” Levels – Apprentice, Journey, Master, Craft Master – OH 4 th level is Master Instructor – Six have 4 levels, six have 3 levels, 1 has one (Master) Others have some confusion on the difference between Qualified & Certified More whimsical levels…. – Bee Haver – Bee Keeper – Bee Steward – Bee Guardian 5

Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 How are Levels Currently Attained Some require Level 1 to “register” as a Beekeeper! Required Reading, Training, Workshops, Coursework, of Field Work by Level – Some have formal testing & expertise demonstration by field work Some identify Active Seasons for each Level – One, two or three seasons at Level 1 – Two or three seasons at Level 2, with at lest 2 hives – Two additional seasons at Level 3 – Two additional seasons at Level 4 Some require Public Service Credits Some at almost like getting a Degree in Entomology 6

Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 What Would Next Steps Bee…. Determine Interest in a voluntary Colorado Program Who Would Run Colorado Program – CSBA, CSBA supported by University, CSBA with University How Would the Program bee Funded Set a date for Kick-Off Form Colorado MBKP Committee Determine Levels & Program Focus – Is there a need for lower Level standardization Many beginning beekeeping courses being delivered successfully – Should program focus on intermediate & advanced levels – Determine standards/requirements for each Level – Determine curriculum, identify instructors/evaluators – Communicate Level standards/requirements – Identify where requirements can be satisfied Set a date(s) for Committee status report(s) 7

Personal research & MBK Articles from American Bee Journal JAN, FEB 2011 & Bee Culture AUG, SEP, OCT 2012 Questions – Comments ?? THANK YOU! 8