What's All the "Buzz" About???

Mon, 01/06/2020 - 11:33am — Diane Dyer

Kara McFadyen, Certified 4-H Bee Ambassador for Butler County

What’s all the buzz about? Butler County recognized as Certified 4-H Bee Ambassador Program!

Did you know honey bees help feed the world's population? It's true! One out of every three bites we eat is there because of the work of pollinators. In 2017, stakeholders from around the Commonwealth worked together to build a comprehensive plan to help protect pollinators by focusing on preservation and creation of pollinator habitat. The 4-H Bee Ambassador Program was developed in support of this plan. We are proud to announce Butler County has achieved this rare and remarkable status! So far, only a dozen or so counties in Kentucky have received this honored certification.

Last year, two Butler County Youth, Kara and Gabe McFadyen, set out on the 4-H Bee Ambassador Program Challenge. Their efforts included pollinator-related activities and represent hours of beekeeping education, research, and outreach. There are many aspects of bees and pollination, including pollinator habitats, honey tasting, and pollinator adaptations. They learned so much about bees and their pollinating cousins and enjoyed every minute of it. Using a game created by 4-H Ag Innovators, they used bristle-bot platforms and modeling materials to model a colony of worker bees to teach others around the state.

They credit Greg Drake, County Agriculture Extension Agent and the Green River Swarm Catchers for their start. This would not have been possible without Jennifer Priddy of Kelley Bees and Tammy Potter of the Kentucky Beekeeping Association for their continued enthusiasm, support, and mentorship. If you are involved in a group that would like to hear more about this program, please contact the Butler County Extension Office at 270-526-3767.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.