Beekeepers Gather at UF for Annual Bee College This Weekend

Gainesville, Florida — As spring arrives, beekeepers across the United States are getting ready for a bustling season. The University of Florida will host its annual Bee College on March 21 and 22, inviting more than 500 participants to engage with the university’s ongoing research and resources in beekeeping.

The two-day event aims to share vital information about the impacts of biological control on invasive plants and their effects on honey bees. Cameron Jack, Ph.D., an assistant professor in UF’s entomology and nematology department, emphasized the importance of disseminating quality information to a wide range of stakeholders. “We get to reach such a wide set of stakeholders and people who are really depending on us for quality information to assist them with their businesses and their endeavors,” he said.

Currently, the lab is overseeing 40 active research projects at various stages. Some projects are analyzing data with plans to share findings with beekeepers soon, while others are preparing for launch this spring. Students play a critical role in both the research and practical aspects of these projects, often starting with a basic beekeeping class before advancing to more involved roles.

Jack noted a common trend among students: “The most common thing I hear is that students came to work with us because they thought it would be fun to play with bees, and they come out of it interested in research and learning the process of how to research honey bees.”

Undergraduate students have the opportunity to pursue personal research projects, guided by faculty. Pierce Barron, a fifth-year student in entomology, began as a volunteer and has since become a field technician, managing campus hives and studying honey bee colonies. This weekend, he will serve as one of 48 course instructors at Bee College.

Barron will co-teach a class on various species of bees found in Thailand, sharing insights from his study abroad experience. “I really enjoy outreach and teaching people about something I’m interested in,” Barron said, expressing enthusiasm for connecting with fellow beekeepers.

For more information about Bee College, visit the University of Florida’s website.