Jennifer Keller, a member of Dr. David Tarpy’s apiculture program at NC State University, will join us Aug. 14 to review the NC State Fair Bees and Honey Competition rules and categories. Even if you do not plan to enter anything this year, the rules for the competition help inform all of us about the standards for products from our hives that we share or sell.

Jennifer will be joined by OCBA member Dawn Rogers, who will share some of the tips and tricks she has used to earn numerous blue ribbons or has heard about from other competitors.

Jennifer was first introduced to honey bees while in the Peace Corps in Paraguay and they quickly became a passion for her. After returning to the US, she continued her desire to work with the honey bees by attending graduate school at NC State University. Her thesis involved research on the small hive beetle and understanding its biology, as this was still a new pest at that time.

After graduation, Jennifer remained at NC State and began working with Dr. David Tarpy. She has been there since 2003, 20 of those years as the apiculture technician who coordinated all the field research for Dr. Tarpy’s team. Some of the multiple duties included queen rearing, instrumental insemination, and seasonal management of honey bee colonies in numerous apiaries. She has since transitioned into a position that is more focused on extension and outreach. That includes working on the NC State Fair, which takes place Oct. 16-26.

Bring an appetizer or desert and join us at the Orange County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension, 1020 US Highway 70 West in Hillsborough, at 6 pm for a time of food and conversation. The program begins at 7 pm and will be followed at 8 pm by a very brief business meeting.