UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For those interested in learning about how beekeeping is practiced in different parts of the world, Penn State Extension is offering a free, six-week webinar series.
“Beekeeping Around the World” is designed for beekeepers and anyone interested in bees or agriculture worldwide. Webinars will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 6 to March 13.
Each week will feature a different location, and presenters will discuss what it is like to keep bees there. The series will cover the following topics:
“France,” Feb. 6. Attendees can learn about beekeeping practices in Brittany, France, including nectar flows, times of honey production and main flowering types. The session also will cover integrated pest management strategies and honey harvesting and marketing.
“The Yukon Territory,” Feb. 13. This webinar will focus on a year-round approach to managing bees in northern climates and the critical decisions that impact honey harvests, colony growth and winter survival.
“Elephants and Bees in Kenya,” Feb. 20. Bees can deter elephants from raiding crops on Kenyan farms. Presenters will discuss how scientists, conservationists and local communities in East Africa are harnessing elephant-bee ecology to safeguard rural livelihoods, promote human-wildlife coexistence and support conservation efforts.
“Turkey,” Feb. 27. A global leader in honey production, Turkey has a legacy of crafting unique honey varieties, including pine and chestnut honey. This webinar will explore the history, practices, and potential for growth and innovation in Turkish beekeeping.
“India,” March 6. Attendees can learn about species of honey bees native to India and common practices and challenges faced by Indian beekeepers.
“Stingless Bees in Brazil,” March 13. Speakers will discuss the world of stingless bees, vital pollinators in tropical and subtropical regions. This session will cover the diversity of stingless bees, beekeeping practices and sustainable management.
Interested individuals can access on-demand webinars from last year’s “Beekeeping Around the World” series — covering Sweden, the Himalayas, Mexico, Lesotho, Thailand and Ukraine — for free on the Penn State Extension website.
Penn State Extension offers this series free of charge, but participants must register by 11:59 a.m. on each webinar date to receive the link to access the live webinar. Registrants will receive a link to the recorded webinar within 10 business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.
More information about the series is available on the Penn State Extension website.