The Bees’ Needs: Surveying Commercial Beekeepers in South Georgia
Extension Education
Kimberly Post
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
Lakeland
Abstract
Colony collapse disorder and colony loss in general has been a problem for beekeepers since at least the mid-2000s. Various organizations have attempted to gather data about beekeeping practices and colony loss through surveying beekeepers, but the majority of responses tend to be from small-scale or hobby beekeepers. Between 2015 and 2020, one of the largest national surveys collected only 20 responses from commercial beekeepers in Georgia. This low response rate indicated a potential gap in important data and programming needs, especially considering commercial beekeepers manage the majority of the colonies in the United States and experience greater financial impact as a result of colony loss and compromised bee health. The county Extension agent developed and delivered a similar management survey specifically for South Georgia commercial beekeepers. This one-year survey collected data from 33 commercial beekeepers operating over 25,000 colonies in South Georgia, a 65% increase over national surveys in the previous five-year period. Data showed that South Georgia commercial beekeepers continue to struggle with varroa mites and are concerned about pesticides. This data will help guide future Extension programming in the area. Additionally, the sheer number of responses to the survey exemplifies how Extension relationships with producers can provide valuable data when conducting needs assessments to better focus Extension programming.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Kimberly Post
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Post, K. County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31635