MSBA is proud to congratulate three new EAS-Certified Master Beekeepers who passed their final exams in Ithaca in August: David Schultz, Russell Sprangel, and Valerie Wampler! Maryland is now able to claim 25 of 201 active master beekeepers on the rolls!

Maryland's consistency success in developing master beekeepers is a testament to the practice of beekeeping in the Free State, as well as the motivation of indivuals and study groups to undertake this demanding series of exams.

The purpose of the Master Beekeeper certification program is to identify and certify people who have an in-depth knowledge of honey bee biology, expertise in the proper practices of beekeeping, and who can present this information to the beekeeping and non-beekeeping public in a detailed, accurate, clear and authoritative manner. The goal of this program is to certify teachers – that those who are awarded the title of Master Beekeeper are competent at a college level in the four areas in which they are tested, and are able to pass that knowledge on to others.

The certification testing takes place during the annual EAS Conference and consists of written, laboratory, field, and oral examinations.  It is administered and coordinated by Master Beekeeper volunteers who are designated by the Master Beekeeper Certification Committee and the organization’s Academic Advisor. Questions regarding the program should be directed to the Certification Committee Chairperson at mbcertification@easternapiculture.org.

 [Return to November 2022 BeeLine newsletter]