On Tue, Jan 7, 2014 at 12:18 PM, Mark Berninghausen wrote:

> Can you imagine what the NYS Apiary Inspection Program could be now had
it been what Bee Wellness is now?



Frankly, no.  The AIP has never been interested in change or progress.  The
envisioned New and Improved AIP described by the original AIAC was DOA,
killed by the unpopular Director (who we decided to call Bob).  See:
http://tinyurl.com/myv763e   Rather than taking the opportunity to
revitalize and/or rejuvenate the unpopular program, Bob simply resuscitated
the same ol' same ol'.



There was an opportunity to steer the AIP in a new and improved direction
when the state filled the State Apiarist position in 2007.  The pool of
candidates was impressive; one went on to become the Provincial Apiarist of
Saskatchewan.  NYS Agriculture and Markets went through all the motions to
create a semblance of interview propriety, but in the end gave the position
to arguably the least qualified candidate.  Admittedly a very qualified
beekeeper, but not the administrator envisioned in the job description from
the original AIAC, and not a forward thinking envisionary with anything in
mind other than the same ol' same ol'

 Less it look like I have nothing positive to say about the NYS AIP, let me
state that other than my disappointment with the lack of vision and
interest in the 21st  century, my personal experience with the apiary
inspection program was always positive.  The inspector assigned to my
region, who sometimes contributes to BEE-L, always made an effort to
contact me prior to inspection and I always made an effort to meet him in
my yards.  I enjoyed the time spent with Rip, picked up an occasional tip
or trick, and was always richer for the experience.  I've heard many horror
stories, but have nothing bad to say regarding any first hand experiences.
My only complaint, aimed at the system not the inspector, is it seemed I
got inspected annually, always without incident, and I began to wonder if I
was being inspected as part of a quota system rather than a need for the
State to be assured I was not harboring nasty bee maladies.

 Back on point, not in my most vivid dream can I imagine the AIP
approaching the accomplishments of NYS Bee Wellness.  Extension/education
was never a goal of the NYS AIP.  In spite of positive experiences with my
inspector, extension was not his job, he was there to inspect my hives and
collect numbers.  NYS Bee Wellness on the other hand is all about
extension.  For those not familiar with the program, a bit of background is
in order.  The program was created by Pat Bono of Seaway Trail Honey (
http://www.seawaytrailhoney.com/ ) a past ESHPA Second Vice President.  Pat
single handedly applied for, received, and is administering a modest
($59,000) 3-year USDA-NIFA grant. The intent of the program she designed is
to "Train the Trainers".  Targeting experienced beekeepers (with strong
encouragement for women), the program gives intensive in-hive and lab
instruction with the intent that the participants will bring the lessons
back to the members of their local associations, helping beginners and
novices learn the ropes.  The programs are well attended and receive rave
reviews.  Beekeepers who participate in the Bee Wellness program receive a
complimentary ESHPA membership.

 The USDA-NIFA grant includs a "matching funds" requirement, the majority
of which has been met by Pat's merchandising efforts, selling Bee Wellness
and ESHPA T-Shirts, caps, banners and refrigerator magnets.  There is also
a modest fee to participate in the program, but the fee goes nowhere near
the value of the classes.  Recognizing the value of the investment to their
clubs and acssociations, many of the locals have covered the cost for their
members to attend.  Three staunch supporters of the Bee Wellness program
(coincidentally ESHPA members), Peter Borst, Aaron Morris and Christina
Wahl provided in-kind service (instruction, travel, and use of bee yards)
to the program.  Instruction in the classes has also been provided by Al
Avitabile, Dr. Larry Connor, Doug McCrory, Randy Oliver, and Dr. Dianna
Sammataro,  The cost to the Empire State Honey Producers Association in the
first two years of the grant has been nil.  ESHPA donated $4000 in the
final year of the grant.  It is hoped that the program can be continued
after the grant runs out.

 The "Train the Trainers" paradigm of the NYS Bee Wellness program has
proven very successful, is well received, self-sufficient (no costs to NYS
tax payers), results in positive growth in associations' memberships, and
has exponentially inspired new beekeepers.  NYS AIP?  Well, not so much.


Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!

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