What is the Apiary Inspectors of America?
The purpose of this organization is to promote better beekeeping conditions in North America mainly through more uniform and effective laws and methods for the suppression of bee diseases, and mutual understanding and cooperation between apiary inspection officials, and by the presentation of new information and ideas as developed.
Membership consists of state and Canadian provincial apiarists, state bee inspectors, other regulatory officials that have apicultural responsibilities and other professional apicultural specialists.
State Apiarists spend much of their time serving in an extension capacity with individual beekeepers as well as local and state beekeeper associations. State Apiarists are in contact with Federal and University research personnel and the National Honey Board to keep abreast of the latest research findings and new methods in apiculture. Most state apiarists are also very active in the leadership of the state beekeeping organizations. In that role they help in communication between beekeepers and promotion of honey and the beekeeping industry.
In many states the bee inspector is viewed as the bee expert and serves as an industry spokesperson to the general public, mass media reporters, legislators, and other public officials. Bee inspectors also conduct or assist in a considerable amount of bee research. For example, most of the early research on tracheal and varroa mites was done in cooperation and assistance of several state apiary inspectors. In these days with the shortages of bee research, extension and regulatory funds it makes sense to share resources.
Several state apiarists have helped to develop class lesson plans on bees for use in grade schools. Most state apiarists routinely give talks on beekeeping to school classes and civic groups. Some state apiarists have produced beekeeper directories used by consumers, swarm callers, orchardists and other growers to make contacts for honey, wax, and pollen products, beekeeping supplies and pollination and other services. Many state apiarists also work with the university extension service to disseminate extension bulletins, newsletters, etc.
Other beekeeping related information on the internet.
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