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BEEKEEPERS ADDRESSING HONEY HOUSE INSPECTION REGULATIONS

Extension Education

Elvin Andrews
Naylor

Abstract

\r\n    Clinch County is the leading honey producer in the state of Georgia with $4 million farm gate value.  New honey house inspection requirements by the Georgia Department of Agriculture led to confusion for honey producers about what they needed to do to keep houses in compliance.  Noncompliance could lead to closure or costly remodeling.  Lanier/Clinch Extension Coordinator and beekeepers met with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Beekeepers Association and industry representatives in Perry, Georgia to discuss requirements for inspecting honey houses.  As a result of this meeting, the Georgia Department of Agriculture sought input from Extension and beekeepers to help update this building inspection code.  The guidelines drawn up by this cooperative group was titled, Basic Regulatory Requirements for Licensing Honey Producer.  It described the basic requirements which must be met before licensing honey producers.  These guidelines then needed to be delivered to honey house owners and producers.  Lanier CEC facilitated a meeting in Homerville, Georgia with 96 beekeepers, Georgia Department of Agriculture presenters, and legislative representatives in attendance.  This public meeting allowed the Georgia Department of Agriculture to review the inspection process of honey houses with Georgia beekeepers and honey processors.  One honey producer commented, “These are the timely kind of meetings beekeepers need so we know what inspectors are looking for.”  This collaborative work has led to 100% compliance of honey houses inspected in 2010. 

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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: E.L. Andrews, K.S. Delaplane
  1. Andrews, E. County Extension Coordinator, UGA Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 31635
  2. Delaplane, K. UGA Entomologist - Apiculture, UGA Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 30602