Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County (CCE Oswego) will be hosting a free virtual workshop through Zoom on Thursday, May 12th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This workshop will provide an overview of the current challenges surrounding pollinator declines and what some of the potential solutions are for addressing the problem. It will also provide practical guidance for beekeepers and members of the public on how they can best support pollinator health.
Guest speakers will be Dr. Steve Sheppard, Chair of the Entomology Department at Washington State University, and Dr. Scott McArt, Assistant Professor of Pollinator Health at Cornell University. Dr. Sheppard will give a historical overview of the African and European honeybee and the rise of bee pressures in the United States. He will also discuss some of the innovative research his team is doing to support beekeepers, including the use of fungi to help reduce Varroa mites and viral loads. Dr. McArt will discuss the latest research from Cornell University, including some of the underlying factors that are leading to pollinator declines. His presentation will also highlight what Cornell University is doing to help support both beekeepers and members of the public in promoting pollinator health.
This workshop is open to all members of the public, including those interested in learning how they can better support honeybees and other wild pollinators. The workshop is also targeting beginning beekeepers and other longstanding honey producers who are looking to gain practical knowledge on how to maintain bee colony health. Registration is required to attend. For more information, contact Joshua Vrooman, Ag Community Educator, at jwv33@cornell.edu or 315-963-7286 ext. 200.
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