- Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu
- Contact: Mary Reed, 979-845-9713 or by email at mary.reed@tamu.edu
BELTON — The Texas Master Beekeepers certification program’s fall test is open for apprentice and advanced level testing Nov. 3 in Belton, according to Texas Master Beekeeping Board member Mary Reed.
The exam will be held at the Bell County Expo Center, 301 W. Loop 121. Testing will coincide with the 2016 Texas Beekeepers Association Conference at the Expo Center Nov. 3-5.
The registration form is available on the Texas Master Beekeeper Program website under the “Exam Registration” tab at http://masterbeekeeper.tamu.edu/2015-spring-exam-registration/.
Those who have been a beekeeper for at least one year and are interested in participating in the exam must submit the online registration form by Oct. 27. The apprentice level class is limited to 45 participants, but there is no set limit for advanced level slots.
The cost for the exam is $50 and must be paid prior by check or money order submitted to: AgriLife Research Department of Entomology Texas Apiary Inspection Service 2475 TAMU College Station, 77843-2475.
Reed said participants must have kept bees and been registered with the state for at least one year.
First-year participants will begin at the apprentice level. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m., and the exam will start promptly at 8:30 am. The exam involves working with a real hive, so participants should come prepared and bring their own suit, hive tool, smoker, lighter and any other beekeeping equipment normally used when manipulating a hive.
“We will provide pine needles as smoker fuel, but if you are more comfortable using a different material, bring that along as well,” Reed said.
All sections of the exam will be completed by noon.
Second-year participants will participate at the advanced level. Check in will begin at 1 p.m., and the exam starts at 1:30 p.m. There is no in-hive portion for this level, so there’s no need to bring any beekeeping equipment for advanced students.
Participants need to bring their Public Service Credits and completed quizzes for the learning modules to the exam. Advanced participants need to submit at least five Public Service Credits and all quiz completions to acquire the advanced level rank. Reed said these documents will not be accepted unless organized in accordance with the Public Service Credit Documentation Powerpoint, available on the TMBP website: http://masterbeekeeper.tamu.edu/public-service-credit/
“In the past we have held the review sessions in the morning of the exam day,” Reed said. “However, to give participants extra time to review the topics of interest, narrated Powerpoint presentations will be posted to the TMBP website after October 1.”
In 2014, a group of beekeepers created the Texas Master Beekeepers Certification program, which is similar to Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists programs around the state. The first offering of testing was held in March 2015 with 68 students earning the apprentice title. The five-year certification is built on training, experience and testing with both written and practical examinations.
Reed said the education program began as interest in beekeeping and honeybees increased over the past several years.
“There was a lot of desire from beekeepers to have a school or activity to challenge their knowledge of beekeeping and honeybees,” Reed said. “It’s been a wonderful success so far.”
For more information, contact Reed at 979-845-9713 or by email at mary.reed@tamu.edu.
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