Extension

Welcome to the Extension section of the UF HBREL website. Our efforts are varied, yet focused into three distinct areas: beekeeper extension, African bee extension, and general honey bee extension.

Under beekeeper extension falls one of our most popular programs, the UF Bee College. This year (2008) was its inaugural year, and it was a huge success thanks to all who attended and participated. We are currently in the process of determining next years Bee College dates which will be announced on this website.

Also under beekeeper extension is the Florida Master Beekeeper Program which is aimed at Floridians with some beekeeping experience (at least one year to enter the program). This program features four levels of advancement, Apprentice—Advanced—Master—Master Craftsman. Completion of the Master Craftsman Beekeeper level is comparable to the completion of a master’s degree from a university!

We publish a quarterly beekeeper’s newsletter called the Melitto Files (a pun on Melittophile, meaning lover of bees) which features articles written specifically for Florida Beekeepers, announcements of upcoming beekeeping events, and a management calendar divided into regions. If you would like to receive a copy of the Melitto Files, or be added to the list, contact Mr. Mike O’Malley

For our African bee extension, members of the HBREL have partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to create the African Bee Extension & Education (AFBEE) Program which serves to educate every Florida citizen about the presence of African bees in Florida. The AFBEE Program website is a clearing house of information about the African honey bee in Florida.

We are always happy to facilitate speakers to present at your event. If you would like to arrange a speaker to talk about beekeeping, African bees, or just honey bees in general, please contact Mr. Mike O’Malley.

• Melitto Files
• Bee College
• Master Beekeeper Program

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