4-H Honey Bee Essay Contest
Each year, the UF HBREL organizes the Florida 4-H Honey Bee Essay Contest. The contest is a national competition offered by the Foundation for The Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc., but only the best essay in each state moves on to compete in the national running. The Official UF HBREL Essay Committee will determine the top three essays in Florida and send the first-ranked winner on to the national competition.
The deadline for the 2013 contest is February 20th, 2013.
Please submit essays to jklopchin@ufl.edu as a microsoft word document titled: " 4-H Essay _YOUR LAST NAME". Please use the format in the subject of your email as well.
2013 Topic:
"Reducing the Usage of Bee-Killing Pesticides in my Community".
Pesticides are a fact of modern life, but misuse or overuse of pesticides, or making poor choices when selecting and applying pesticides can be devastating to honey bees and other pollinators. The 4-H’ers are encouraged to learn about bee-killing pesticides being used in their communities – by homeowners, businesses, or farmers. Then, they should investigate how the impact of those pesticides on honey bees can be lessened.
Click to see 2013 essay topics and official rules
2012 Topic:
"The Results of Honey Bee Pollination in my Community". Honey bees pollinate a wide variety of plants. The food crops that benefit from honey bee pollination have been said to contribute one-third of the American diet. In addition, many non-food plantings and natural environmental plants benefit from honey bee pollination. The 4-H'ers are encouraged to investigate the plants in their communities that benefit from honey bee pollination and determine the results of that pollination.
Click to see 2012 essay topic and official rules
The Florida winner for 2012 was Samuel Byers. His essay was published on the cover of the April-June issue of the Melitto Files.The national winner was Michelle Solinger of Kentucky. Congratulations!
2011 Topic:
“U.S. Honey: A Taste for Every Preference”
The taste and color of honey varies according to flowers where the bees gather the nectar. Each different type of plant will yield honey with a different taste. The same plants, growing in different soils and climates, can yield different honey. Investigate your local/regional honeys of the United States and see how they differ in taste and color...
Click to see 2011 essay topic and official rules
The Florida winner for 2011 was Amanda Roseauer. Her essay was published on the cover of the April-June issue of the Melitto Files.The national winner was Rachel Ricchiuto of California. Congratulations!
Questions? Email our Lab Staff at honeybee@ifas.ufl.edu
