2004 Beekeeping Institute
June 3-5, 2004
Towns County High School
1400 U.S. Hwy. 76
Hiawassee, Georgia
Young Harris College and the University of Georgia are offering the thirteenth annual Beekeeping Institute, June 3-5, 2004. Since its inception in 1992, the Institute has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive beekeeping educational event in the Southeast, offering classes and workshops for beekeepers at all levels of experience and sponsoring the Georgia Master Beekeeper Program (GMBP). For 2004 we have an exciting roster of speakers and – in response to student evaluations – longer workshop periods.
Due to renovations at the College, this year’s Institute will be held at |
The Institute proper, Friday and Saturday, features a 2-track system – one track for experienced beekeepers and another for beginners. Facility limitations force us to cap enrollment at 150. A limited enrollment ensures a more comfortable learning environment for everyone, but makes pre-registration mandatory. If you cannot pre-register, please call us first to make sure there’s space before you make the trip.
Thursday June 3rd is dedicated to training and certification examinations for the GMBP Journeyman and Master levels and the Welsh Honey Judge qualification. Training and certification for the GMBP Certified level are incorporated into the normal activities for the beginners’ track Friday and Saturday. Details for both programs are included in this brochure.
The Institute faculty represents a diverse cross-section of apicultural experience, from university academicians to extension agents, supply manufacturers to queen breeders, hobbyists to seasoned honey producers. Institute participants are encouraged to bring a full slate of questions and take advantage of the assembled expertise.
One of the most rewarding opportunities of the Institute is its annual Honey Show. Besides typical categories in honey, the Honey Show includes classes in photography, art, candles, section comb honey, mead, and beekeeping gadgets. We strongly urge students to participate in the Institute Honey Show, even if it is your first time at competing. Cash prizes are given to winners.
All awards and certifications are announced at the Closing Convocation on Saturday.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2004 Beekeeping Institute!
THURSDAY, June 3
(Thursday is dedicated for those wishing to qualify for Journeyman, Master Beekeeper, or Welsh Honey Judges’ Certifications).
Morning Sessions (separate and synchronous) |
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| 8:00 | Journeyman training lectures | Master training lectures |
| 9:45 | Break |
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| 10:15 | Journeyman training lectures | Master training lectures |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
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Afternoon Sessions (separate and synchronous) |
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| 1:00-4:30 | Journeyman Practical Examinations | Master Practical Documentation Audits |
| 3:00-4:30 | Welsh Honey Judges' Training Lectures | |
| 5:00 | Dinner |
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| 7:00-9:00 | Welsh Honey Judges' Examinations and Audits | Journeyman and Master Written Examinations |
FRIDAY, June 4
7:00 |
Registration begins |
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Afternoon Workshops (schedule same both days)
Beginner's Track |
Experienced Track |
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SATURDAY, June 5
7:00 |
Registration begins |
Morning Lectures |
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Beginner's Track |
Experienced Track |
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9:45 |
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11:45 |
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Afternoon Workshops (see above)
6:15 |
Closing Convocation, Presentation of Awards, Recognition of Certified, Journeyman, and Master Beekeepers and Welsh-Certified Honey Judges |
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Paul Arnold is Professor of Biology at Young Harris College and co-founder and host of the Beekeeping Institute. A botanist, Paul brings to the Institute a special expertise in honey plants and their pollen.
Jennifer Berry is Apicultural Research Coordinator and Apiary Manager at the University of Georgia. Jennifer’s research has been published in American Bee Journal, Annals of the Entomological Society of America, and Journal of Apicultural Research. She is actively involved in all aspects of bee research and education at UGA.
Robert Brewer is Towns County Extension Director with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Robert is a co-founder of the Beekeeping Institute and Coordinator of the Georgia Master Beekeeper program.
Selim Dedej is completing his PhD this summer in the Department of Entomology, University of Georgia. Selim is former Associate Professor of Animal Production at the Agricultural University of Tirana, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Albania, and Fulbright Scholar to the University of Georgia.
Dr. Keith Delaplane is Professor of Entomology at the University of Georgia and co-founder of the Beekeeping Institute. A beekeeper of 29 years, Keith’s research and extension work is focused on mite control and pollination.
Dr. James Ellis is a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Georgia. A 2000 graduate of UGA, Jamie recently completed his PhD at Rhodes University in South Africa. In March he returned to the UGA bee program to continue his research on small hive beetles.
Keith Fielder is Putnam County Extension Coordinator and is this year repeating his popular workshop on wood working for the beekeeper.
Steve Forrest is President of Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, one of the largest manufacturers of beekeeping supplies in the United States.
Dr. Mike Hood is Professor of Entomology at Clemson University and no stranger to the Institute. A frequent collaborator with the UGA bee program, Mike is a recognized expert in small hive beetles and varroa IPM.
Bill Kenefick is a renowned mead maker from Tampa, Florida. He has been a home brewer for 15 years and mead maker for 10. Although currently a hobby beekeeper, Bill is transitioning to sideline status.
Nabor Mendizabal is a MS graduate student working under Dr. Delaplane at the University of Georgia. A native of Bolivia, Nabor is a semi-commercial keeper of Africanized bees. For his thesis he is developing an ambitious six-character bee selection program.
Dann Purvis operates Purvis Brothers Queen Breeding Company in Blairsville. Dann is a graduate of Sue Cobey’s instrumental insemination course at Ohio State University and rapidly gaining recognition as a breeder of mite-resistant honey bees.
Dr. David Tarpy is the newest addition to the bee research community in the Southeast. As the new apiculturist at NC State University, David’s areas of research expertise include honey bee genetics, breeding, and mating behavior.
P.N. & Evelyn Williams are founding officers of Tara Beekeepers Association in Forest Park and chief organizers of Tara's annual Beekeeping Shortcourse in Clayton County. The Williams are constantly promoting beekeeping and helping beginners.
GEORGIA MASTER BEEKEEPER PROGRAM
In 2004 the Georgia Master Beekeeper Program (GMBP) is offering qualifications at the Certified, Journeyman, and Master levels. Training and examinations for the Certified (entry) level are incorporated into the Beginner’s Track on Friday and Saturday; the higher levels are covered on Thursday.
| Aspirants to the Journeyman or Master levels must meet advance requirements, including prerequisite certifications, minimum years of experience, documented public service credits, and/or documented expertise in at least five of 17 subspecialties. Bring all required documentation with you for scheduled audits. Please read details at http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/GMBP.htm. |
Applicants to any level are asked to check their intention on the registration form and pay the appropriate fee. Questions about the program may be addressed to GMBP director Robert Brewer at (706) 896-2024.
WELSH BEE KEEPERS ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATION
The Welsh Bee Keepers Association has partnered with the YHC/UGA Beekeeping Institute to offer training and certification for honey show judges. This is the only partnership of its kind between the USA and United Kingdom. Entry-level students are given opportunity during the Institute to complete the first two of four requirements. The Welsh Honey Judge certification requires (1) attendance at the Thursday training, (2) documented experience as a steward (judge's assistant), (3) documented experience as a senior honey show judge, and (4) successful completion of the oral examination. For most aspirants this sequence requires one or more years. The oral examination is offered for those candidates meeting all other requirements. The purchase of an official judge's smock and hat is required of those candidates ready to take the exam, and certified judges, when serving as judge or steward, are expected to wear their official uniforms in respect of the high standards of professionalism the certification implies. Questions about the program may be addressed to Robert Brewer at (706) 896-2024.
HONEY SHOW
Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Honey Show. Cash prizes are awarded on the following basis: First place winners by class ($50), second place ($40), third place ($30), Best of Show ($100).
GENERAL RULES
- Only registered Institute participants may enter.
- Judges and stewards are excluded from competition.
- Institute reserves the right to limit the number of entries on a first-come, first-admitted basis.
- There are twelve show classes: (1) extracted honey light, (2) amber, (3) dark, (4) black jar, (5) chunk honey, (6) section comb honey (either round or wood), (7) mead, (8) candles (molded or dipped), (9) molded beeswax (a single molded piece of two pounds or more), (10) original bee-related photography, (11) original bee-related art, and (12) beekeeping gadgets. Contestant may enter in any or all classes but may enter only once per class.
- All honey and beeswax entries must have been produced by the submitter and within the last 12 months. This restriction does not apply to entries in mead, photography, art, and gadgets.
- All entries for honey and candles must be submitted in triplicate: i.e., three matching jars of honey or three candles.
- Submit extracted honey in standard one-pound queenline jars; either plastic or glass is acceptable.
- Submit chunk honey in standard one-pound chunk honey jars. Insert only one piece of comb in jar.
- Submit black jar honey entries in triplicate, with each one-pound queenline jar spray-painted black. The sole criterion in this class is flavor.
- Beeswax entries must be pure beeswax.
- Art and photography must be presented in a self-standing frame or easel, and each accompanied with a 3 x 5 card giving the title, artist, and brief “story” behind the piece.
- Do not label products in any way; an identifying code sticker will be assigned to your entry at registration.
- All entries must be submitted by 12:00 noon, Friday, June 4.
- Judging criteria are selected at the discretion of Judge, and decision of Judge is final.
LODGING
Excellent lodging is available at motels in Young Harris, Hiawassee, and Blairsville. Please contact directly one of the numbers listed below to make your reservations.
Young Harris Motel, Young Harris (706) 379-3136
Brasstown Valley Crowne Plaza Resort, Young Harris (706) 379-9900
Fieldstone Inn, Hiawassee (706) 896-2262
Lake Chatuge Lodge, Hiawassee (706) 896-5253
Mull Motel, Hiawassee (706) 896-4195
Salale Lodge, Hiawassee (706) 896-3943
Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee (800) 838-8892
Holiday Inn Express, Blairsville (800) 238-5544
Seasons Inn, Blairsville (800) 901-4422
Best Western Inn, Blairsville (706) 745-6995
El Joe Lodge, Blairsville (706) 745-6991
Chamber of Commerce (can give listings for cabins, bed & breakfasts, etc.) (800) 984-1543
MEALS (lunch and dinner) as scheduled are available at the High School cafeteria for $5.00-7.00 per person, payable at the door; Students are also free to patronize local restaurants.