Hello Florida Beekeepers!The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab is recruiting beekeepers who are interested in “leveling up” their beekeeping operations from a hobby to a business.  We invite you to apply for a United States Department of Agriculture funded project focused on developing a honey bee business, marketing, creating value-added products, and apiary workforce safety. The program involves monthly Zoom meetings, online courses, and in-person workshops. It is expected to run from August 2023 through the spring of 2025. Thirty beekeepers will be selected from across Florida and will be provided free access to all online materials as well as a travel and per diem stipend for all in-person workshops. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with participants selected by August 2023. To apply, visit https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOvykdn2kHwgsYu.  About the ProjectThe long-term goal of this project is to support and improve the success of new beekeepers by increasing their opportunities to create revenue through the sales of value-added products. Though beginner beekeeping programs are readily available, there has been a significant lack of extension programs and resources available for beekeepers who are ready to turn their hobby into a business. The goals of this project therefore are to: 1) train beekeepers in business planning; 2) assist beekeepers with value-added product development; 3) help beekeepers develop digital marketing competence; 4) train beekeepers about apiary safety; and 5) increase revenue for beekeepers. These goals will be accomplished through a series of online modules, virtual group meetings, in-person workshops, and one-on-one trainings. Modules and teaching resources will include topics such as business planning, producing value-added honey bee products, digital marketing strategies, and apiary safety. The target audience for this project is Florida hobby (0-40 colony) and sideline (41-99) beekeepers, in their first to third year of keeping bees, who have not registered as a business within Florida, and do not file income and expenses for their beekeeping operations. Recruitment for this project will have a special emphasis on beekeepers who are military veterans, women, young, socially disadvantaged, or have limited resources. Data from this project will be used in a research study to help improve this and future beekeeping business programs. The study’s principal investigator is Amy Vu, State Specialized Program Extension Agent – Apiary, University of Florida. (IBRN202207894). Questions about this project can be directed to the project’s coordinator, Mary Bammer (bammerma@ufl.edu; 352-448-1070).We hope you will apply for this great opportunity to “level up” your beekeeping operation! Thank you,The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory   APPLY HERE