Project: Improving beekeeper management practices to increase ...

 

Project: Improving beekeeper management practices to increase pollinator health and honey production in Northern New York

Through support from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension is leading an investigation on improving beekeeper management practices to increase pollinator health and honey production in Northern New York. The immediate goal is to create a directory of beekeepers from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Once this network is developed, surveys will be distributed to beekeepers to assess their current management practices. Samples of bees will be taken from a total of 48 apiaries (40 home, 8 commercial; by Dr. Scott McArt and Emma Mullen of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University) to determine the presence of viruses and the parasites V arroa and Nosema in order to relate management to virus and parasite prevalence in these hives. Honey production data will be collected to determine whether better management practices result in more honey production. A comparison of the survey and parasite/virus prevalence data between the 40 at home and 8 commercial beekeepers will reveal differences between the two demographics. Finally, the results of the research will be shared and used to educate the beekeepers of Northern New York on the best management practices to ensure the best colony health and production. If you are a beekeeper, please complete and return this form to Alyssa Couse at [email protected] or call her at 315-788-8450, ext. 278. Name: _________________________________________________________________________________ Business name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________ Phone number: __________________________ Email address: ___________________________________ Number of hives: _____ Products produced/sold: ______________________________________________ Please let us know any services you provide or groups/clubs/organizations you belong to.  

Do you wish to be listed in the Beekeepers Directory?

_____ Yes

_____ No

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