APIS Volume 5, Number 8, August, 1987
In this issue
- Florida Honey Bee Committees
FLORIDA HONEY BEE COMMITTEES
Some of you may have seen references to behind-the-scenes committees that meet several times each year to help advance the apicultural community in Florida. Although they don't get much press or remuneration, they perform important tasks that all beekeepers should be aware of:
The Florida Farm Bureau Advisory Committee meets at least twice a year; usually in August and April. It's charge is to develop policies which are forwarded to the Florida Farm Bureau's resolutions committee for adoption. Should they be national in scope, they are presented at the Farm Bureau's national convention for adoption. Resolutions run the gamut from dissemination of educational materials to Commodity Credit Corporation rules for the honey loan program. The Committee is made up of Farm Bureau members and encourages others to join this powerful organization. More information on the Committee is available from Mr. Frankie Hall, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, P.O. Box 730, Gainesville, FL 32602, ph 904/378-1321.
Two committees have been formed to aid Agricultural Commissioner Doyle Conner in his work. The Africanized Honey Bee Task Force was initiated two years ago. It's task is to consider potential impact of the bee on the public and agriculture and make recommendations to the Commissioner concerning policy on this controversial insect. It dealt with Africanized bee finds in Panama City and Palm Beach.
The Committee has recommended bait hives be placed in ports and signs posted alerting dock workers about Africanized bees. It is currently considering the thorny issue of identification of the bee and kind and quality of information that should be developed for educating the general public and beekeepers about the insect. For more information, contact the State Apiarist's office, Division of Plant industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
A second body of persons is also appointed by the Agriculture Commissioner. This is the Honey Bee Technical Council, newly formed under the auspices of the new bee law, recently passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. Its job is to advise the Commissioner on a wide range of issues important to apiculture in Florida. Recently, it met in conjunction with the Africanized Honey Bee Task Force to get a better understanding of issues confronting that particular Committee. Again, more information is available from the Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The Board of Managers which formulates policy for the Florida State Beekeepers Association is also an important committee. It is made up of past officers and representation from all local beekeeping organizations around the state. It last met at the Beekeepers Institute at 4-H Camp Ocala and will be meeting again at the state beekeepers convention in late October. More information is available from the President or Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida State Beekeepers Association.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
Bldg 970, Box 110620
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
Phone (352) 392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX: (352)-392-0190
http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~mts/apishtm/apis.htm
INTERNET Address: MTS@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU
©1987 M.T. Sanford "All Rights Reserved
