About the Master Beekeeping Program
The Great Plains Master Beekeeper (GPMB) program was launched by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bee Lab in April 2019 and now serves over 4,000 beekeepers across the Great Plains and Midwest. The program has also facilitated the creation of more than 29 teaching apiaries across eight states, providing hands-on learning opportunities for participants ranging from beginners to advanced beekeepers. Through updated courses and training, GPMB seeks to improve colony health and support economic sustainability for beekeepers.
Purpose
The Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program (GPMB) aims to build a robust network of beekeepers, educators, and community members committed to supporting one another in apiculture and enhancing hive management practices to address today’s challenges. The program offers educational materials, including lectures, videos, and training guides.
Key topics covered in the GPMB program include evidence-based guidance on colony management, bee biology, pests, pathogens, and other stressors, as well as land stewardship, business and marketing strategies, and professional development for beekeepers.
Program direction, topics, and focus are shaped collaboratively by GPMB committees, local beekeeping associations, and partners. This cooperative approach ensures that the information provided is current, relevant, and tailored to meet the specific needs of beekeepers in the Midwest.
If your state or organization is not listed, please see our "Partners" tab for more information on how to join the program.
Levels
Exploratory
As the name suggests, "Exploratory courses" offer introductory experiences and provide an opportunity to learn about beekeeping, including the equipment, time commitment, and labor involved. Participants will gain an overview of what a beekeeper’s year typically looks like, and will learn the "what" and "why" of beekeeping BEFORE investing significant time and energy into the "how."
Apprentice (<2yrs of beekeeping experience)
This level focuses on basic training for colony management which includes starting colonies, seasonal tasks, health assessments, honey production, and overwintering to improve survival rates of honey bees.
Education Credit Requirements: Complete learning objectives 1.1-1.20, and take 1 in person course to advance
Volunteer Service Hours: 10 hours per year (20 hours cumulative)
Field Experience Hours: 20 hours
Pass multiple choice exam
Cost: Free to join.
Journeyman (2-4yrs of experience successfully overwintering hives in the Midwest)
This level focuses on intermediate training that refines management skills and promotes honey production and economic growth for the beekeeper.
Education Credit Requirements: Complete all Biology (B), Land Stewardship (L), & Professional Development (P) learning objectives, and at least 3 Business and Economics (E) and Management (M) learning objectives
Volunteer Service Hours: 20 hours per year, (60 hours cumulative)
Field Experience Hours: 40 cumulative field hours and pass a field exam
Cost: $80 processing and testing fee.
Master Candidate (5+yrs of experience successfully overwintering hives in the Midwest)
This advanced level focuses on professional development for beekeepers as educators, communicators, and advocates for the beekeeping industry as well as improving their management and pest monitoring. focuses on professional development for beekeepers as educators, communicators, and advocates for the beekeeping industry. Professional development training at this level will also help beekeepers interpret scientific data, identify misinformation, and design simple experiments to evaluate new techniques for improving management or pest monitoring. Topics also cover more advanced management skills (queen rearing, making up colonies for sale, etc.) for economic growth and educational training purposes.
Education Credits: Complete all B, L, & P learning objectives, and at least 3 E and M learning objectives.
Education Credit Requirements: 15 additional ed. courses/learning series covering 1 of each focus area. A final Master Project is also required for full access to GPMB teaching resources.
Volunteer Hours: 20 hours per year, 40 every 2 years
Field Hours: 80 cumulative hours & pass field exam
Cost: $100 processing and testing fee renewed every other year
Certified Master
In order to become a fully certified “Master Beekeeper”, Level 3 candidates must complete all educational credit, volunteer service, and field experience requirements AND submit a Final Master Project. The “Master Subcommittee” will work directly with each Level 3 candidate that have complete most or all of their requirements to discuss, develop, and approve a customized Master Project idea tailored to the individual beekeeper. The “Final Master Project “ must be presented to the Governing Council (GC) to receive a pass/fail grade for certification. Approved projects and presentations will be made available to other certified Master beekeepers in the GPMB Resource Repository.