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The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Apiary was the site of a Honeybee Field Day October 8, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. More than 40 people enjoyed a welcome message, a complimentary dinner, tour of the UMES Apiary and two workshops.
Topics covered by Maryland State Apiary Inspector Dean Burroughs included the basic concepts of beekeeping, honey production, harvesting and honeybee colony trends on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Emily Zobel, a UME agent associate, Dorchester County, spoke about the multiple issues causing the decline of honeybee colonies. A honey tasting culminated the evening’s activities.
According to Dr. Nelson Escobar, small ruminant specialist/UMES Extension Program, the purpose of the workshop was to increase the level of awareness among the community and to enhance beekeepers’ knowledge about practices and procedures for rewarding colony survival during the winter. Since 2017, the UMES Extension program has sponsored the UMES Honey Bee Club for those individuals who want to learn how to promote honeybees and other pollinators on the Maryland Eastern Shore.
“Pollinators and honeybee colonies are declining in drastic numbers worldwide at an alarming rate,” Escobar said. “Their decline poses a threat to global agriculture and human food supply and security.”
The event was the cooperative effort of Niamh Short, Delmarva program manager, Future Harvest CASA; Sarah Hirsh, agriculture agent, Somerset County Office/University of Maryland Extension; and Escobar, UMES Extension Program.
