EXTENSION COLLABORATES WITH BEEKEEPERS TO ADDRESS PRODUCTION ISSUES
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Elvin Andrews
Naylor
Abstract
Southeast Georgia beekeepers were hit hard in 2007 by multiple adverse conditions of late freeze, drought and forest fires which reduced bee populations and honey production. Beekeepers discovered there were no disaster programs available for their losses. Lanier/Clinch County Extension Coordinator (CEC) and Clinch County beekeepers took action to address these issues. They reorganized the Southeast Georgia Beekeepers Association, resulting in an increased membership of more than sixty beekeepers representing over 30,000 beehives in six counties. Collaborators have been instrumental in connecting beekeepers and honey producers with government agencies. They met with representatives from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), and state and national legislators about disaster relief for loss of hives and honey production. Results from these meetings led to new disaster assistance programs for beekeepers in the 2008 USDA Farm Bill. This included 2009 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and documenting Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) for honey bee losses. Lanier/Clinch CEC and members of the Georgia beekeeping industry met with representatives from the Georgia Department of Agriculture to discuss issues regarding the inspection of honey houses. Officers of the Southeast Georgia Beekeepers Association and Lanier/Clinch CEC directed a tour of honey houses and a honey processing plant in Clinch County for the Georgia Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner and Food Processing Manager. The Georgia Department of Agriculture, Lanier/Clinch CEC and Southeast Georgia Beekeepers Association conducted a meeting open to the public to review the basic regulatory requirements for honey house inspections. FSA representatives were also on the meeting program to address beekeepers and honey producers on how to apply for bee losses from CCD and honey losses. This meeting attracted a total of 96 beekeepers, presenters and legislative representatives.
Authors: Andrews, E. L.
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Andrews, E. L. County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 31635