The recent criticisms of Maine's Master Beekeepers has me wondering why
I am contemplating taking the Master Beekeeper Exam at EAS next summer.
I hope my motives are in keeping with the spirit of the program. In
part I view the the program as a way to judge how much I really know
about honey bees and as a hobbyist with about 30 hives there is only so
much I can do with my bees as "proof." (As an example I'm fortunate to
have lived in an area without much AFB and have never had to deal with it)
Do I think the knowledge gained in the process of pursuing the Master
Beekeeper designation will make me a better beekeeper and consequently a
better bee school teacher? Of course.
Do I think that once I have the designation my bees will become
magically immune to pests and predators? Of course not.
Do I think that commercial beekeepers in my area (I live in wild
blueberry territory) will seek me out with job offers and genuflect in
my presence? Absolutely not!
Regardless if I decide to pursue the designation I intend to keep
learning about bees and sharing that knowledge as I can. Reading Bee-L
every day is part of my continuing education. I tend to keep my fingers
off the keyboard here preferring to keep my mouth shut and ears open.
- Jonesboro, Maine (on the coast)
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