Honey Bee Programming

Published: 2019
By Shelley Mills

Valley County Extension has been providing honey bee education to hobbyists, commercial beekeepers and bee enthusiasts since March of 2017. This program has been highly successful and greatly appreciated by both the hobbyist and commercial beekeepers. We have improved the survivorship of overwintering bees, advanced pest management, increased colony numbers, and forged positive relationships between hobbyists and commercial beekeepers. We have also improved public awareness of honeybee importance and crop pollination. Extension has established strong collaboration with the US Army Corp of Engineers for pollinator habitat development and improvement through education regarding high quality forage plants, how to plant and maintain pollinator plant species, and best gardening practices to encourage pollinator visits. Valley County Extension has also been instrumental in recruiting volunteers from the Master Gardener program to help in planting and maintaining the future pollinator gardens around the Fort Peck Interpretive Center. Valley County Extension Agricultural Agent, Shelley Mills successfully completed the Master Beekeeper course to better serve the beekeeping community in northeastern Montana and has improved the caliber of the educational outreach from basic education to advanced training. Topics being offered in three workshops annually, include: basic bee biology, equipment needs, pest identification and management, successful overwintering strategies, hive inspections, splitting hives, plant choice and garden design for pollinators, and laws and regulations pertaining to honey bee production.