NACAA

BEEKEEPING: ADVANCING ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE IN MISSOURI THROUGH EDUCATION AND NETWORKING

Abstract:

Shortly after the popularity of beekeeping in the United States peaked in the 1950’s, many people moved from rural to suburban areas, where bees were not traditionally kept, and the number of beekeepers and beehives began to decline. The numbers were further reduced during the 1970’s and 1980’s when tracheal and varroa mites were introduced to North America. In 2006 a phenomenon known as colony collapse began spreading across the United States and in just 3 years nearly half of all managed honeybee colonies disappeared. The disappearance of the honeybee was covered extensively by the media and interest in beekeeping began to grow. Over the past several years there has also been increased interest in locally or organically grown foods as well as alternative, sustainable, or value-added agriculture. Beekeeping is a natural complement to these areas of agriculture and many people became interested in managing honeybees themselves. To meet this increased demand in beekeeping information and education, University of Missouri Extension, with assistance from the Missouri State Beekeepers Association, developed a short course to help prospective beekeepers get their start in beekeeping. The beginning beekeeping short course was held in Clinton, Missouri in October of 2009. The 30 students that attended planned on starting more than 50 new colonies of honeybees in 2010. To further assist these new beekeepers, as well as to give both new and experienced beekeepers an opportunity to meet and discuss honeybees and beekeeping, the Golden Valley Beekeepers Association was formed in November of 2009.