The Virginia Master Beekeeper Program – Comments and Issues
Richard Fell
Department of Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Since we formally proposed the Master Beekeeper Program and posted a draft version, I have received comments from a number of beekeepers, both positive and negative. In most cases the individuals who contacted me were positive about the program, but had concerns over some of the requirements, such as the service requirements or the number of hives managed. However I also received a letter from a beekeeper who was opposed to the program as a whole, and did not think the program would benefit Virginia beekeepers. Others, who objected to parts of the proposed program, sometimes did so with good points and sometimes with misconceptions. All of the comments have been helpful in stimulating thoughts about program organization and how we might improve the final version. I thought it might be beneficial to share some of the comments with the VSBA membership, as well as my thoughts about some of the issues.
I think the first issue to be addressed is why have such a program and what are the goals and objectives. This is a point that Keith Tignor and I discussed several years ago when we initially put together plans for a Master Beekeeper program. The program we envisioned was to be an educational and public service program with the following goals:
1. Improve the level of beekeeper knowledge and management skills.
2. Provide assistance and coordination of beekeeper training across the state.
3. Provide a mechanism for the recognition of beekeeper knowledge, training and experience.
4. Expand the resources available to beekeepers, extension personnel, and the general public.
5. Provide a means to help educate the public through public service.
The basic design of the Virginia program is modeled on a multi-level approach to training and recognition. Several other states, such as North Carolina, Nebraska, and New York, have taken a similar tiered approach in their Master Beekeeper programs. The Virginia program was drafted after input from the directors of these other programs, beekeepers in Virginia, as well as from the comments of individuals involved in Master Beekeeper Programs in other states. We have also tried to incorporate some of the approaches used in the Master Gardener program. Unlike Master Beekeeper programs in some states we do not want to limit training to one location. We desire to maintain an open and accessible program in which beekeepers at all levels of experience and expertise and from locations across the State can participate. The levels of the Virginia program are similar to those of other states. We decided to limit the program to three levels, some states have 4 levels. The program, as now planned, will recognize the Qualified Beekeeper, the Certified Beekeeper, and the Master Beekeeper. (Note the name changes from the draft proposal – we decided to use “certified” for the second level because of connotations often associated with the term.)
The first step in the program will be the Qualified Beekeeper. An individual completing this level will be knowledgeable of basic beekeeping techniques and able to manage one or more hives. The requirements are fairly simple and straightforward, six hours of classroom instruction in introductory beekeeping and one year of beekeeping experience with at least one hive. Individuals must also pass a written and practical test, which includes the proper inspection of a hive. The training and testing for the certified level is something the local associations can do. Many of our local associations offer introductory classes and already provide the hands-on training that one would need to meet the requirements at this level. The written tests would be provided by the local extension office and administered through the local association. The practical tests would also be given by local associations and will follow standard guidelines.
The second level or Certified Beekeeper is designed to recognize beekeepers with more experience and training. An individual at this level would have knowledge of honey bee diseases and pests, advanced management techniques, and insect biology. They would have experience managing hives under a variety of conditions and levels of health. To meet the requirements individuals need two years of beekeeping experience beyond the Qualified level and experience managing three hives. They also need to complete at least 12 hours of additional classroom instruction in advanced beekeeper training and complete six units of public service work in beekeeping. The advanced training requirement could be met in a number of ways from participating in short courses to attending lectures or seminars at regional or national meetings. We also plan to designate presentations at our state meetings that would meet the advanced training requirement. The idea is not to be restrictive, but rather to encourage beekeepers to expand their knowledge of bees and beekeeping. However, we will need to establish some guidelines. Testing for the Certified Beekeeper can also be handled at the local level, as long as there are qualified individuals at the Certified level or above.
The public service requirement is to encourage beekeepers to share their knowledge and help educate others. Public service includes presentations to local civic groups, schools, youth organizations, garden clubs, news interviews or similar types of service. The idea of using a “unit” concept is again to provide flexibility in program accounting. For example a 30-minute school presentation, a 45-minute talk to a garden club, or a 15-minute news interview would each count as a unit of public service. The important point here is to provide good quality, accurate information to the non-beekeeping public. This type of outreach will become even more important with the spread of the Africanized honey bee. I am sure all beekeepers are aware of the news generated by Colony Collapse Disorder and I have no doubt that we will see similar types of reporting with the spread of Africanized bees. They are well established in Florida and will move north, especially with the movement of hives, package bees, and queens. The threat of AHB has prompted the state to develop an Africanized Honey Bee Plan and the Master Beekeeper program can play a key role in helping to alleviate problems. By putting in place a program designed to help educate beekeepers and that recognizes beekeepers who have received a basic level of knowledge and training (Qualified and Certified Beekeepers), we are being pro-active. Such a program will discourage local governments from enacting legislation against beekeeping or to require training. At a recent MAAREC meeting, Dennis van Engelsdorp, the State Apiarist in Pennsylvania, mentioned several cases where local town governments attempted to regulate beekeeping because of concerns over Africanized bees. The major argument used to counter such efforts was having certified beekeepers. Knowledge of Africanized honey bees and best management practices will be a requirement at all levels.
The last area proposed in the Certified level was to complete one year of service as an officer in a local beekeeping organization. This requirement was placed in the draft at the suggestion of an individual who felt that we needed to encourage greater participation in local associations. There was also the idea that those reaching the higher levels of the MB program should be leaders. This proposed requirement met strong objections from several beekeepers, although others thought it was a good requirement. The reasoning behind this requirement was two-fold, developing the organizational skills of participants and providing trained leadership to local associations. The ultimate goal of the MB program is to improve beekeeping in the State. In order to be successful we need individuals who will step forward to recruit, train and, guide others through the successes and failures of beekeeping. Individuals moving on to the Master level will be required to organize a workshop or other training program. The ability to organize workshops, courses, and meeting programs is acquired through experience. Holding a leadership position does not mean everyone in the program must be President of a local or state organization. Committee service, workshop planning, or organizing a field day involves leadership and organization skills. The other reason for the requirement stems from a common complaint of Nomination Committee chairpersons that they cannot find individuals willing to take on an executive or committee position. The problem is not a lack of qualified individuals; it is just that few are willingly to take on additional responsibilities. The leadership requirement would have provided an incentive for volunteering services. However, in light of the comments received we have removed the requirement for service as an officer at the Certified level and changed it at the Master level.
The top level of the program is the Master Beekeeper. Individuals achieving this level should be knowledgeable in all aspects of beekeeping and will be called upon to demonstrate that expertise. Individuals must have 3 years of beekeeping experience beyond the Certified level and have managed a minimum of 15 hives. They must have a comprehensive knowledge of bees and beekeeping and have completed 12 hours of training beyond the Certified level. They must also have completed an additional 10 units of public service and demonstrated the ability to work with the public. They must conduct at least 2 programs or workshops at beekeeper meetings, assist in a beekeeping course and/or serve as a volunteer for Virginia Cooperative Extension. In addition they must complete one other advanced level requirement, attend at least 2 regional or national beekeeping meetings and pass a written and practical test. The proposed requirements also included service as an officer in a beekeeping organization. This requirement has been changed to demonstrated activity in a beekeeping organization.
In regards to the requirements for the Master Beekeeper I received relatively few comments. One beekeeper was concerned about having to manage a minimum of 15 hives since he was a hobby beekeeper and had only several hives. A key point here is that the individual does not have to own 15 hives, but must have assisted in the management of at least that many hives. The reason for the requirement is simply to insure that those who become Master Beekeepers have a broad experience with hive management. Working one or two hives does not provide the diversity of exposure to different types of management problems or hive temperaments that one gains from handling a number of colonies.
Another concern – or perhaps ‘miss-concern’ – has been in regard to the completion of one other advanced level requirement, such as (my emphasis) writing an article for a bee journal, editing a beekeeping newsletter, or participating in an approved research or extension project. Note there is no requirement to write and publish an article as a couple of people mistakenly indicated in comments I received. The purpose of the requirement is to encourage beekeepers to expand their knowledge and communication skills by going beyond the normal scope of beekeeping activities. Along similar lines, one beekeeper indicated that requirements with regard to educational programs, public speaking, or the publication of articles are not directly tied to having mastered the art of beekeeping. Here again, I would tend to disagree. The goal of the MB program is to improve beekeeping knowledge and management skills and for participants to communicate that knowledge and training to other beekeepers and the general public. One of the best ways to learn and really master a topic is to teach it. Experience is important, but simply keeping bees for 20 or 30 years does not make one a master of beekeeping. When I think back over the beekeepers I’ve met and who I would consider to be master beekeepers, they all share common qualities. They all have considerable experience, but more importantly they had a strong desire to learn and to share what they knew by helping others learn.
Two other areas on which I have received questions or comments concern re-certification and whether individuals with beekeeping experience can test for a higher level. In regard to the latter question, as long as an individual can provide some documentation, such as a beekeeping resume, that they meet the requirements of the lower level(s) we support allowing them to go forward and test at the level they feel appropriate. The question on re-certification, on the other hand, is one that is almost guaranteed to generate a heated debate. Our recommendation is not to have a re-certification requirement as such, but to require Master Beekeepers to fulfill a “continuing education” requirement of six hours of advanced training programs every two years. As with the Certified Level requirements, this could be met through meeting attendance, short courses, or similar programs.
The Master Beekeeper Program as proposed will be under the direction of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, as are the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs. Individuals will be responsible for keeping their own records on their activities. Record sheets will be available from Extension offices or can be down-loaded as PDF files. Individuals will also be responsible for entering their information onto an on-line management system. The College of Agriculture Information Technology group is currently developing a new on-line management system for the Master Gardener and Naturalist programs and we have asked to be included in the program. Individuals completing level requirements will be recognized at the VSBA meetings.
The revised draft of the Virginia Master Beekeeper Program has been placed on the VSBA website and I encourage each of you to read over the plan carefully. As always, we welcome comments – both positive and negative. After looking over the program, I would also encourage you to go on-line and look at some of the requirements for programs in other states (North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Nebraska), as well as those of the Eastern Apiculture Society. You might even want to look at the requirements for the Advanced Certificates on Beekeeping from the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA – look under Examinations Board). I think what we have proposed is reasonable and well in line with the quality of Virginia beekeeping.