2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To develop, design and initiate a “community of practice” for honey bees as an extension website. The National extension Initiative is a USDA-REE Extension Service effort to provide internet-based collaborative environment for information exchange. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) University of Tennessee will work with extension to develop a "community of practice" for honey bees. 3.Progress Report In FY10, at the start of this collaboration, a website or “Community of Practice” on honey bees was established and extensively updated as a part of The National Extension Initiative, a USDA-REE Extension Service effort to provide an internet-based collaborative environment for information exchange. The website serves as a conduit for information exchange between scientists working to improve colony health and the beekeepers and growers who use honey bees. The University of Tennessee has extensive extension expertise and, in FY2011, developed additional materials specific to the ARS Areawide bee project to post on the website. Research findings from the parent project are also posted on the website as a primary means to rapidly communicate research findings to the consumer. Progress on this agreement is being monitored with regular email communication and phone calls and a once a year face to face meeting with collaborators.