Mark Berninghausen asked a series of questions concerning the importance of
state apiary inspections that I hope members will take the time to answer.
You should know that Mark is one of several Senior Apiary Inspectors for the
State of New York and that the NYS Inspection Program is part of the State
Department of Agriculture but not part of the state Extension Program, which
is the responsibility of our Land Grant institution, Cornell University.

This is a subject of considerable interest to me, so I look forward to your
replies.

In considering your replies I hope you will think about how
important disease detection and eradication are compared to education.
While it is unwise to completely seperate these two,  I believe the official
NYS programs do just that.  Disease control is the Inspection Program, while
education is the Extension program (in some states, these two programs are
officially combined).  That is not to say that the Inspectors are not very
knowledgable and helpful beekeepers.  Some, but not all, are outstanding in
these respects.  There are some that think that if a State has money to
spend on maintaining beekeeping as a healthy agriculture pursuit that the
funds should be primarily allocated to disease control.  Others think that
the primary use of funds should be Extension programs geared to beekeeping.
As beekeepers, what are your views?

I hope many are willing to share their views.

--
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

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