New AgriLife beekeeping program has East Texas debut
The Lone Star state is seeing more beekeepers. State data shows Texas has nearly 9,000 beekeeping operations, which is more than any other state.
The Texas A&M AgriLife’s extension will now have a beekeeping program, it will serve beekeepers across the state, including in East Texas.
“We are seeing a dramatic increase in beekeepers in the state of Texas,” said Garett Slater the Honey Bee Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife in Overton.
Slater is now the honey bee specialist and his role is a new state-wide position aimed at expanding AgriLife’s beekeeping program.
“We will be developing programming for beekeepers not only here in East Texas but hopefully to address across the state,” said Slater.
This program is open to all beekeepers; whether they do it as a hobby or as a career, they have specific classes depending on their experience.
“For the more advanced beekeepers that have been keeping bees for multiple years, we will have advanced topics on how to breed queens,” said Slater.
They will also have a master beekeeping program to help beekeepers go from beginner level to expert.
“A lot of beekeepers when they do this for the first time think it’s really easy but just like any livestock there is a lot of management,” said Slater.
Slater adds, that before this program, beekeepers were on their own when it came to learning. That is why he believes these new resources will help those who are facing challenges.
“A dramatic increase of beekeepers in the state but yet beekeepers are seeing a high amount of quality losses,” said Slater. “There’s not a need only because there are more beekeepers but there’s these major issues beekeepers face.”
While he gets adjusted to his new role, he hopes to help beekeepers in East Texas and across the state.
“One thing I want to do is educate them, help them, make them enjoy beekeeping as much as I do,” said Slater.
These programs will start in East Texas and eventually branch out to cities like Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
Next week they will have their first virtual master beekeeper program webinar.
To sign up or learn more about this new honey bee expansion program, click here.
