Location: Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research
Project Number: 6050-30500-001-020-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 15, 2026
End Date: Apr 14, 2028
Objective:
The primary objective of this agreement is to establish a mechanism to fund specialized technical help and provide resources in support of developing a long-term program that promotes control of Varroa nationally, supporting early adopters of new products and providing robust information that beekeepers can use to evaluate the utility of control methods in their own operation. . The Cooperator has a strong graduate education program in Entomology and familiarity in Agricultural outreach, but lacks expertise in honey bee pest management practices, the necessary connections to stakeholders, and familiarity with honey bee genetics. We will provide these resources, while partnering with the Cooperator to recruit strong technical help that will assist in establishing in (1) establishing best practices guidelines and (2) work to collaborate and disseminate information to stakeholders.
Approach:
The SY PIs will work closely with the Cooperator to recruit and train technical help and develop workshop materials. Technical help will work with SY PIs and Cooperator to organize workshops, collate training material, and assist with research. The SY PI will provide expertise in honey bee biology, as well as access to the genetic stock, beekeeping equipment and research facilities maintained at the Research Unit. The SY PIs will work with Technical help to leverage Cooperator resources to establish treatment regimens against Varroa destructor and towards ultimately enhancing honey bee health.