Member Reporting
Field Training
Field training hours are required for each level of the Great Plains Master Beekeeping course. Field training exists so beekeepers are versed in the technical knowledge of how to keep bees, and in the subtle nuances of maintaining them.
Courses
Beekeeping workshops are a validated method to get started beekeeping and refine your skills as you become more experienced.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a critical aspect of the Great Plains Master Beekeeping program because it promotes community involvement and builds experience as an advocate for bees. Click HERE for a list of volunteer activities
Resource Guides
Beekeeping Business Resources
List of financial resources that can help you with your beekeeping business.
Beekeeping Seed Resources
List of free or discounted seed.
Beekeeping Land Use Resources
List of USDA Incentive Programs to support hive development.
Frequently Asked Beekeeping Questions (FAQ)
Find a list of commonly asked questions related to beekeeping.
Honey Extraction
Watch this video to better understand how to extract honey safetly from the hive.
Emergency Livestock Assistance Program for Bees (ELAP)
Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), the program provides payments to owners of livestock, including honey bees, when they experience losses due to disease, adverse weather, or wildfires
The other bees: what do they do?
Wild solitary, semi-social, social bees! There are many kinds of bees, that live in many kinds of nest locations. Take a look at all the other types of bees that dont make honey but are important pollinators.
Protecting Honey Bees in Production Agriculture
A module for crop consultants, advisors and applicators. This module is for applicators and consultants with prior knowledge of IPM practices.
Varroa Management Decision Tool
The Honey Bee Health Coalition's Varroa Management Tool is designed to help beekeepers make informed Varroa management and treatment decisions.
Hive Inspection Data Sheet
Use this data sheet to help you record and document what is happening in your hive.
Beekeeping Glossary
Find a list of common terms related to beekeeping.
Honey Bee Plant List- Eastern Region | Western Region
Find a short list of lesser known plants that support both native and honey bees. Good for Central NE and East to Michigan.
Beekeeping Equipment & Approximate Costs
Find a price sheet for common equipment like protective clothing and hives.
USDA Beekeeping Resources
From plants to the final product, USDA has programs to help protect and conserve habitat, protect your investments and recover from disasters impacting your operation.
How Honey Bees Overwinter: Infographic
Learn what bees do over the winter in temperate climates. Hint: they dont hibernate!
Is This a Bee? Infographic
Download and share this infographic that talks about other insects commonly confused with honey bees and how to differentiate them. This is a great guide for beekeepers to have when interacting with the public.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Varroa mites
IPM is a decades-old farm strategy for mitigating pests while minimizing chemical use. Experts now recommend IPM for Varroa. Rather than relying on a “silver bullet”, good IPM incorporates multiple practices throughout the season, based on pest levels and pest biology.
DIY Guides
Always in Marion Mouse-guard
These instructions on how to build a simple mouse-guard for your hives to help exclude rodent pests from the hive.
Varroa Sugar Roll Sampling
Early detection and assessment of infestation levels are important components of a varroa management plan. Use this guide to help determine infestation levels.