INFORMATION ITEM: What's Great at K-State Series – KSU Bee Program
National Challenge: Decline of Bees in the U.S.
Across the United States, honey bee and native pollinator populations are experiencing alarming declines. Threats such as parasitic mites, viruses, fungal diseases, habitat loss, and climate stress are reducing bee health and survival. This crisis not only endangers ecosystems but also threatens agriculture, as pollinators are essential for nearly one-third of the food we eat.
Kentucky State University is at the forefront of addressing these challenges conducting more research and extension on bees than all other Kentucky universities combined.
Expert Leadership: Dr. Tom Webster, Professor and Extension Specialist for beekeepers, leads the KSU Bee/Apiary Program. Alongside colleagues Dr. Renata Rodriguez and Dr. Tamara Potter, President of the KY Queen Bee Breeders Association, KSU delivers groundbreaking research and statewide outreach.
Innovative Research: Eleven dedicated researchers are advancing new methods to successfully winter bees, combat honey bee diseases (especially viruses and fungi), and strengthen resistance to parasitic mites through selective breeding.
Protecting Native Pollinators: KSU is pioneering strategies to safeguard Kentucky's native pollinators and their habitats, ensuring biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
Supporting Beekeepers: Extension programs train beginning beekeepers and support advanced producers, strengthening the Commonwealth's beekeeping community and agricultural resilience.
KSU's bee research and outreach directly support producers across Kentucky. This ensures healthier bees, stronger crop yields, and more sustainable ecosystems. With national bee populations in decline, Kentucky State University is making a global impact from right here in the Commonwealth.
At KSU, we're not just studying bees, we're protecting the future of food, farming, and the environment.