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The VSBA MBP Committee:
•VSBA MBP Director: Frank S. Walker, President, Norfolk Beekeepers
•VSBA MBP Senior Testing Official: Keith Tignor VDACS State Apiarist
•Program Consultant: Dr. James Wilson - Virginia Tech
Frank S. Walker
VSBA MBP Director
E-mail: mail@norfolkbeekeepers.net
Apprentice Beekeeper Cost $25.00 - covers both the written and practical testing. Entry level for the program: beginning beekeepers are welcome as an encouragement to interested folks who want to increase their knowledge. 1. Written or Electronic Exam. 2. Practical test which demonstrates the techniques involved in a routine hive inspection. NOTE: It is the responsibility of the VSBA Apprentice and Journeyman beekeepers who have successfully passed the written exam to contact one of the VSBA Master Beekeepers to coordinate and schedule a time to complete their practical hive inspection testing in an apiary other than your own. 3. Five (5) hours of approved Public Service Credit (PSC) annually. (As listed below) Approved Public Service Credit includes but is not limited to: Preparing and presenting a honey bee program, staffing a table at a community event, conducting a training class or program at a local school, library, or other club or association. Apprentice Study Guide | Journeyman Beekeeper Cost $25.00 covers both the written and practical testing. Second level for the program: 1. Written or Electronic Exam. 2. Practical test which also includes identification of various tools, objects, and pictures relating to honey bee biology and beekeeping. - It is your responsibility to contact and schedule this with one of the master beekeepers. 3. Four years of beekeeping experience. 4. Ten (10) hours of Public Service Credit annually relating to honeybees and beekeeping. (As listed below) Approved Public Service Credit includes but is not limited to: Preparing and presenting multiple honey bee programs to local clubs, VSBA or other state beekeeping associations, staffing a table at a community event, developing and leading a training class or program at a local school, library, or other club or association. Journeyman Study Guide | Master Beekeeper Cost $50.00 covers both the written and practical testing. Final level for the program: For the beekeeper who has demonstrated extensive expertise in beekeeping and a number of specialized areas in beekeeping. 1. Written test 2. Practical laboratory test which includes the ability to demonstrate honey bee dissection and disease identification (if any). Candidates that have successfully passed the Master written exam can schedule Lab training with the VA State Apiarist at the membership conference. Once the candidate has demonstrated the Lab knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA), the State Apiarist will schedule the candidate for the Practical laboratory testing. A passing score of 80 is required. 3. Personal interview. Each Master Beekeeper candidate will participate in a face to face interview conducted by two VSBA Master Beekeepers. The evaluators will ask a series of six random questions and the candidate has up to three minutes to provide their response. The response should answer the question asked and is geared towards a response to an Elected Official, School Principal, Business Owner or another beekeeper. Each evaluator will independently grade each response with 0-1 point. Max score is 12 points – successful candidates must achieve a minimum score of 8 points to successfully complete the interview. 4. Six years of beekeeping experience. 5. Twenty (20) hours of Public Service Credit annually relating to honeybees and beekeeping. (As listed below) Master Study Guide |
Participation Anyone with an interest in honeybees is invited to participate in this program. All participants must be a member of Virginia State Beekeepers Association to enroll and continue membership to be identified as a VSBA Master Beekeeper. All of the educational offerings to support the program as well as all of the testing are conducted within Virginia. Apprentice, Journeyman and Master Beekeeper written exams as well as the Master lab testing and face to face interviews are only held during the membership conferences. Exam and Testing times will be announced prior to each membership conference. All Master Beekeeper Program candidates must preregister and prepay for the Apprentice, Journeyman and Master Beekeeper written exams. No walk-ins will be accepted during the membership conference. No exceptions. The Master Beekeeper Program of the VSBA will consist of 3 levels, the Apprentice Beekeeper level; the Journeyman Beekeeper level, and the Master Beekeeper level. The requirements for each level are posted below. All beekeepers, regardless of experience or years of beekeeping knowledge, must enter the VSBA MBP at the Apprentice Beekeeper testing level. Candidates for the Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Beekeeper must document a certain number of Public Service Credits (PSC) annually. “Public service” is defined as volunteer service or educational activity oriented around bees and beekeeping and conducted for the benefit of the PUBLIC. Public Service Credit (PSC) is received for a documented event of a qualified public service. In general, documentation must be material evidence, in writing; and more detail is better than less. The MBP Committee reserves the right to accept or reject documentation during review of the applicant request for credits. Public Service Credits, also known as community volunteer service, not only helps to fulfill the mission of VSBA and our local chapters; but serve as a learning tool for the individual beekeeper. Each time we set about teaching, talking, or sharing our knowledge of beekeeping, we have another opportunity to learn more ourselves. A diversity of experiences and activities is desired to provide a better opportunity, and it is for this reason that in most instances, only one credit per type of activity is credited per MBP level. To maintain VSBA Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Beekeeper certifications Public Service Credits should be completed and reported on or before by December 15 annually. Approved Public Service Credit includes but is not limited to: - Presenting bee-related lecture or workshop to non-beekeeping group (youth or adult). - Programs on beekeeping and related topics to school groups. - Serving as an officer in local beekeeping association. - Assisting members of youth organizations (4-H, Scouts, FFA), etc. with bee related projects. - Mentoring a new beekeeper through at least one complete season. - Public demonstration on beekeeping topic at fair, festival or similar public event. - Publication of beekeeping and related article in journals, newsletters, etc. - Programs/lectures/demonstrations on specific beekeeping topics to beekeeping groups. - Working at the VA state fair (bee related). - Miscellaneous: you may submit a special program under this category to the MBP Director; however it must be reviewed and approved by the VSBA MBP committee Once all written and practical testing is successfully completed, a Certificate of Recognition will be presented to you at the next membership meeting. If you can’t make the meeting, notify the Master Beekeeper Program (MBP) Director and a certificate will be emailed to you. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE PLAY MASTER BEEKEEPER JEOPARDY (a fun tool for learning and preparing for the master beekeeper exams) |
STUDY GUIDES
(links above to download) Also you can join our google classroom study room using class code : yiwjuab See Master Beekeeper List_Map for locations and contact info. |
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