For nearly a decade, I have had the privilege as apiarist to work with state universities, bee associations, beekeepers and volunteers to create a better apiculture infrastructure for Kentucky. I’m especially proud of the USDA Honey Bee Health Survey database that started in Kentucky in 2015, providing a panel of information to beekeepers about viruses, mites, spores and in some cases, pesticides. Another milestone is the Pollinator Stakeholder Plan that created a communication tool between applicators and beekeepers (this month is an ideal time to sign up before farmers start applications! It’s free and anonymous!). Here is the link: Microsoft Word – PollinatorHandout.docx (kyagr.com)
On Feb. 23, I stepped down as state apiarist and began a new exciting chapter with Kentucky State University on Feb. 26 as the manager of the Beginner Beekeeping program: Kentucky State University | Small-Scale Farm Grant Program (kysu.edu)
I hope that many of you will maintain contact with me as many of the grants and projects I worked on at Kentucky Department of Agriculture can easily transfer to Kentucky State University.
– Tammy Horn Potter tamara.potter@kysu.edu
