The MHBC Resources page contains links to the USDA bee laboratories, national, international and local beekeeping organizations plus many other resources.
USDA Bee Research Facilities
Beltsville Bee Lab – Beltsville, Maryland
The Beltsville Bee Lab is located in Beltsville, Maryland and is the main USDA Research facility for Honey bees in the U.S. Its mission is to conduct research into the biology and control of honey bee parasites, diseases and pests to ensure an adequate and viable supply for pollination and honey production. Using biological, molecular chemical and non-chemical procedures, USDA scientists are developing new and cost-effective strategies for controlling parasitic mites (Varroa, Tracheal), bacterial diseases (American, European Foulbrood), fungal infections (Nosema apis, ceranae) and pests such as Small Hive Beetle and Wax Moths.
Additionally, the Beltsville facility focuses on preservation of honey bee germplasm in order to maintain genetic diversity as well as ensuring the future viability of honey bee stock.
The Beltsville research staff are also available to any beekeeper in the U.S. (and worldwide) as well as to State and Federal regulatory agencies to provide authoritative diagnosis and evaluation of all sorts of honey bee diseases and problems. Learn how to Send Samples to Beltsville Bee Lab.
Carl Hayden Bee Research Center – Tucson, Arizona
The Carl Hayden Bee Research Center performs many of the functions of the Beltsville Bee Research Facility, but focuses more on the study and control measures for Africanized bees and honey bee issues related more to the geographical regions of the American Southwest. The Carl Hayden Facility staff will perform diagnostic tests for beekeepers suspecting various disease problems.
Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, Physiology Laboratory – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Baton Rouge Bee Lab, as the title suggests, is concerned primarily with breeding and genetic issues regarding honey bees. The development of Suppressed Mite Reproduction (SMR) and Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) traits were all developed at the Baton Rouge lab. The introduction of the Buckfast strain into the U.S.was through the quarantine facilities there. Development and promotion of the so called Russian strain were also done through the Baton Rouge facility.
The Biology and Systemics Lab in Logan focuses primarily on non-apis species of bees (bumble bees, alkali bees, etc.), mainly as indigenous, alternative pollinators to honey bees.
Colorado State Resources and Associations
Colorado State Apiary Inspection
Colorado State Apiculturist, Mr. Mitchell Yergert, 700 Kipling St., Suite 4000, Lakewood, CO 80215 (303) 239-4142 firstname.lastname@example.org
Colorado State Pesticide Management
Colorado State Department of Agriculture
Mr. John Scott, Pesticides Program Manager, 700 Kipling St., Suite 4000, Lakewood, Co 80215 (303) 239-4179 JohnScott@ag.state.co.us
Colorado Associations and Organizations
Colorado Professional Beekeeping Association (CPBA)
The Colorado Professional Beekeeping Association is a great resource for local Colorado beekeepers. The group is made up of those having a livelihood related interest in beekeeping including most of the commercial beekeepers in Colorado. The CPBA has a Wanted/For Sale page that will give recreational beekeepers a direct connection to those who can provide packages, nucs or used equipment from local sources.
Western Colorado Beekeepers Association (WCBA)
The Western Colorado Beekeepers Association is intended for beekeepers raising Honeybees in the numerous micro-climates of Western Colorado. The Club is made up of local Beekeepers who want to share and expand their beekeeping knowledge.
Colorado State Beekeepers Association (CSBA)
The Colorado State Beekeepers Association (not to be confused with the California State Beekeepers Association..which has the same acronym) is as an educational and referral service for primarily the recreational and side-line beekeepers in Colorado. CSBA was founded in 1880 and chartered in 1889.
Boulder County Beekeepers Association (BCBA)
The Boulder County Beekeepers Association was formed originally in the 1970’s as a way for area beekeepers to network and protect themselves from pesticide spraying. In more recent years its character has changed to reflect the many and often varied approaches and philosophies about beekeeping. Its membership is primarily that of hobby and backyard beekeepers. Some members have never actually kept bees. Some of MHBC members are also BCBA members as a way to network and communicate within the larger beekeeping community in Boulder County.
Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association
The Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association is the state’s second oldest beekeeping association established in 1890. It has long been associated with academic work being done at CSU Fort Collins, although the actual degree of academic influence has depended upon the amount of involvement by the CSU department of Entomology. Currently, the emphasis of NCBA seems to be directed more toward recreational and non-academic beekeeping concerns.
Pikes Peak Beekeepers Association
The Pikes Peak Beekeepers Association located in the Colorado Springs area, has been in existence for about 30 years, and has a very active and engaged membership. Together with the NCBA, the PPBA are perhaps the most active local organizations, and with the most members in the state. The PPBA generally strives to present regular and mainstream thinking regarding beekeeping practices.
High Land Beekeeping Club
The High Land Beekeeping Club has been one of the newer beekeeping organizations in Colorado, established several years ago and located in the Southwest Denver area. Its membership is made-up primarily of newer recreational beekeepers associated with the aerospace and military sectors within the greater Denver area. Its membership seems to be increasing along lines of alternative and non-military related interests in recent years. Highland Beekeeping has served as a spin-off organization for many of the new and alternatively-directed beekeeping clubs that have sprung-up in recent years.
Denver Beekeepers Association
Denver Beekeepers Association (DenverBee) is one of the newer organizations in Colorado which developed out of beekeepers passing ordinances to allow keeping bees in the Denver metropolitan area. It is one of the more active groups scheduling beekeeping speakers to speak to Colorado beekeepers.
IPM Voice is a newer, independent nonprofit corporation working to increase IPM adoption, awareness and support. Their mission is to advocate for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that is genuinely progressive and seeks continuous improvement of environmental, social and economic conditions through application of accepted scientific principles.
Honeybee Research Links
Scientific Beekeeping is the website of Mr. Randy Oliver which provides many useful, practical explanations and summaries of various scientific topics relating to honey bees (highly recommended for the inquisitive beekeeper).