UF/IFAS/AHSTC Honey Judge Program
A collaboration with the American Honey Show Training Council!
The next Honey Judge training is planned for March 20, 2025 in Gainesville, FL. For more information, click here.
The UF/IFAS/AHSTC Honey Judge Program is a training and certification program for honey show judges. Participants in the program learn the art and science of judging honey, candles, mead, and much more using the time-honored judging traditions initially developed in Wales.
There are three levels in the UF/IFAS/AHSTC Honey Judge Program:
- Introductory Honey Judge Training
- Certified Honey Judge
- Senior Honey Judge
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Program Requirements by Level
Honey Judge Candidate Requirements (Level 1- minimum time to complete: n/a)
To become a Honey Judge Candidate, one must attend an AHSTC approved Introductory Training Class. The training is a day-long program that includes a hands on workshops on preparing, showing/exhibiting, and judging bee produce, honey show organization and administration, professionalism and ethics, and much more! Upon completing the Initial Training Course, a Honey Judge Candidate will be qualified to serve as both a Judge's Steward and a Honey Show Secretary.
Certified Honey Judge Requirements (Level 2- minimum time to complete: 12-18 months)
- Beginner Training (see Level 1)
- Stewarding three (3) honey shows
- Secretary for two (2) honey shows
- Earn 50 exhibiting points by showing items in honey shows
- Organize a local honey show
- Present a AHSTC Honey Judge Portfolio
- Assembly and presentation of judging kit
- Final exam
Senior Honey Judge Requirements
- Earn Honey Judge (Level 2) Certification
- Complete four (4) advanced training classes*
- Judge at 24 honey shows
- Secretary at two (2) honey shows*
- Earn 150 Honey Show Participation Points*
- Organize two (2) state-level or higher honey shows
- Serve as a Honey Judge instructor
- Present a Senior Honey Judge Portfolio
- Presentation of judge's kit and attire
- Final exam
*These requirements are in addition to those required for Level 2 certification.
For detailed requirements, please click here: AHSTC Program Requirements
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Program History
The Honey Judge Program at the University of Florida began in 2008, under the moniker ‘Welsh’. The University of Georgia Young Harris Beekeeping Institute and the Institute of Northern Ireland Beekeepers initially introduced the Welsh Honey Judge Program to the United States (US) in 2008.
In 2013, the US Welsh Honey Judge Program underwent a significant revision with the purpose of allowing program participants to acquire more skills and knowledge in honey judging. This revision resulted in the addition of the new rank of Senior Welsh Honey Judge.
In 2019, the program underwent its second major revision, with the purpose of tightening and reinforcing the standards that the program establishes, while ensuring that local Florida judges were able to participate fully in the program.
Now in 2024, we are partnering with nationwide honey judge educators in the American Honey Show Training Council to offer an even more robust, thorough, and synchronized program. Honey judges trained in Florida may serve in Florida honey shows and even beyond to national-level events!
Interested in joining the program?
Contact us!
Brutz English
brutzenglish@gmail.com or call 770-843-2110 or visit www.honeyshowusa.com