KSU Hosts 2025 Beekeeping School with 260+ Attendees

By Blake Jackson

Kentucky State University (KSU) hosted the 2025 Bluegrass Beekeeping School on March 8, drawing over 260 beekeeping enthusiasts from Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.

This annual event, held at KSU for more than two decades, offered a full day of workshops, presentations, and demonstrations for both beginner and experienced beekeepers.

Dr. Thomas Webster, KSU’s Professor and Extension Specialist for beekeeping, highlighted the program's growing popularity, noting that beekeepers are always eager to expand their knowledge.

"[Participants] can get a lot of information all in one day. There are many people with expertise, many people giving presentations, and there’s also vendors that they can buy from. It’s very convenient for them to buy bee keeping equipment right there," said Webster. "It’s a good way to spend a Saturday in March if you want to get into beekeeping. You learn a lot at once."

The event featured a variety of sessions, covering topics such as basic beekeeping equipment, candle making using beeswax, and enhancing pollen substitutes for honey bee health.

Dr. Michelle Flenniken, a professor from Montana State University, delivered the keynote address on "The Impact of Viruses on Honey Bee Health at the Colony, Individual Bee, and Cellular Levels.”

The Bluegrass Beekeeping School was co-hosted by KSU, the Bluegrass Beekeepers Association, and the Capital City Beekeepers. The event provided a valuable opportunity for beekeepers to learn new techniques, network with experts, and purchase necessary equipment.

For further information on local beekeeping events, individuals can contact Dr. Thomas Webster at Thomas.webster@kysu.edu. The next Bluegrass Beekeeping School is tentatively scheduled for the first Saturday of Spring Break in 2026.

Photo Credit: kentucky-state-university