The following will appear in the summer 2019 edition of the Bee Buzz
The North Carolina State Beekeepers Association has officially declared
THE MONTH OF JUNE as COOPERATIVE EXTENSION APPRECIATION MONTH
The Smith-Lever Act of U.S. Congress established the Cooperative Extension Service in 1914, and the NC Agricultural Extension Service was founded soon thereafter operating in partnership with the state’s land grant colleges (modern day NCSU in Raleigh and NC A & T Univ. in Greensboro).
Two short years later, in 1916, N.C. State Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture reached an agreement and a beekeeping specialist was employed for the state of North Carolina.
On year later, in 1917, with the help from then Extension Beekeeping Specialist George Rea, the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association was formed, fulfilling an interest to do so that had been pervasive for over a decade. Two of the papers presented by Extension employees at that meeting were: “Beekeeping in Work of a County Agent” and “First Impressions in Beekeeping Extension”.
By 1918 educational courses on beekeeping had begun at what was then known as “The State College” (modern day NCSU). Following WWI beekeeping courses were offered to veterans as a means to help them get re-established on the home front. In 1982, Dr. John Ambrose, then “Extension Apiculturist” started a Master Beekeeper Program. Although budget restructuring forced NCSU to turn the MBP over to the NCSBA in recent years, Dr. Tarpy and his staff continue to support this integral program of our Association.
Because of Extension we continue to benefit from traditional presentations; webinars; the quarterly Wolfpack Waggle; information of advances from the Queen and Disease Clinic; opportunities to participate in research projects of students and staff; and receive news from the NCSU Apiary. We can even opt to take beekeeping courses online through the Beekeeper Education and Engagement System (BEES) so that members and public can access the courses from home.
Details of how to protect our hives before and following Hurricane Florence were emailed, posted on social media, and disseminated to county agents statewide so that all beekeepers could benefit from the research-based knowledge and experience of the collective state agencies.
Many of our chapters hold their monthly meetings at Extension facilities which frequently offer not only the space, but technical or event support and much more. Quite a few of our Chapters have apiaries at Extension facilities. We can call upon our Extension agents when we have questions about pesticides being used near our hives. We can network with local farming concerns through Extension.
From dealing with (then) new diseases of Foulbrood and Chalkbrood to current challenges concerning breeding viability and new pests, Extension has shared with us along the way.
It is clear to see that our two organizations have continued to grow side-by-side for over a century.
We share common missions.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service is our link to the many State agencies that provide us with ways to make our beekeeping better. For these reasons, the NCSBA has officially declared
THE MONTH OF JUNE as COOPERATIVE EXTENSION APPRECIATION MONTH
We hope that you will join in the Association’s efforts to show our appreciation.
Here are a couple of things you might consider doing:
Annually, the NCSBA recognizes one “Cooperative Extension Worker of the Year” with an award. The award is designed to reward and acknowledge efforts by the Extension workers on behalf of beekeeping, beekeepers, and the bee and honey industry in general. If you have someone you would like to nominate for this award, please see the NCSBA website for an application.
The Golden Achievement Program (GAP) of the NCSBA has added a category (E-4) and Chapters can gain points for participating in the NC State Cooperative Extension Appreciation Month.