University of Montana Beekeeping Program

COLOSS North America Honey Bee Meeting June 6-12, 2026 "Save the Date"

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the “Nutrition, Landscape Change and Honey Bee Health: A Transatlantic Dialogue” Conference we would like to invite you to participate and present at the first upcoming North America COLOSS (Prevention of Honey Bee Colony Losses) Meeting on June 6-12, 2026. COLOSS is an international non-profit association with over 2,395 honey bee researchers from 127 countries.

This will be the first time we are meeting in North America jointly organized by the Nutrition Taskforce and the BeeScholars Taskforce and supported by Working Group 3 and Working Group 6 of the BeSafeBeeHoney – COST Action CA22105, a European research network dedicated to safeguarding bee health and sustainable beekeeping across member states.

The meeting is open to all researchers (faculty, graduate students and postdocs), beekeepers, veterinarians, industry personnel, crop consultants and anyone interested in knowing about honey bee health and current research.

For more information and to register, please visit: https://secure.touchnet.net/C20607_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=110&FROMQRCODE=true

The University of Montana Beekeeping Program is honored to be endorsed by Bee Haven, a science-based beekeeping education community on Facebook with more than 64,000 followers worldwide. Founded by Raylynn White, who became a UM Master Beekeeper in 2022, Bee Haven serves as an online space where beekeepers of all experience levels can learn and connect through respectful discussion.

White's Master Beekeeping capstone project, Propolis and Wound Care Management, was published Nov. 2022 in Bee Culture Magazine. Beyond her research, she is deeply committed to pollinator education and outreach. Through Bee Haven, she shares content inspired by follower questions, seasonal beekeeping challenges, scientific research, and her own curiosity and passion for honey bees. White also moderates Hive Chatter, an interactive beekeeping community connected to Bee Haven. Hive Chatter allows members to share their pictures, videos, experiences, and questions in a safe learning environment.

Her work extends well beyond social media. White teaches beekeeping in a Canadian maximum-security penitentiary, helping inmates develop knowledge, responsibility, and a connection to nature. She also visits schools, women's groups, and community organizations to promote pollinator awareness and education.

“Through Bee Haven, I try to share honest, real-world experiences about northern beekeeping while always encouraging evidence-based practices and continued learning.” — Raylynn White

To learn more about Bee Haven and get involved in its connected groups, visit https://www.facebook.com/Beehaven2022/about/

Ready to advance your beekeeping to the next level? Our online Master Level Beekeeping course starts June 15, 2026!

The Master Course is the third and final level of the University of Montana’s Master Beekeeping Pathway, recognizing those who complete it as dedicated to high-quality apiculture. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of advanced bee management, insight into the business of beekeeping, experience conducting original research, and the skills to maintain healthy hives at both hobbyist and larger scales.

Learn more and register at www.umt.edu/bee/pathway/master.php

The UM Beekeeping program is honored to be endorsed by the Western Apicultural Society — a non-profit, educational beekeeping organization founded in 1978 for the benefit of beekeepers in western North America. WAS frequently offers mini-conferences presented by beekeeping experts from across the region, including our very own Dr. Scott Debnam and Tamila Morgan. We support their mission and appreciate theirs as well.

“The Master Beekeeping Program provides an exceptional opportunity for individuals to learn from renowned experts in the field. With a structured progression from Apprentice to Master and instructors of the highest caliber, this program provides top-notch instruction in beekeeping.” – Western Apicultural Society of North America

To learn more and get involved with the Western Apicultural Society, visit www.westernapiculturalsociety.org

The University of Montana's online Responsible Natural Beekeeping course is still OPEN for registration! Starting May 18, learn how to implement a beekeeping method that best emulates how honey bees live and thrive in nature!

What do alumni have to say?

"If you are thinking about taking a more natural approach to beekeeping, this is a great foundational class. As with all of the UM classes there is an emphasis on the biology and ecology of the bee so that you understand not just what to do, but why you need to do it. You will leave the class with a realistic view of natural beekeeping that you can marry with your personal beekeeping objectives and work in harmony with the bees." - Scott Mills, 2025 UM Master Beekeeper

Learn more and register at www.umt.edu/bee/additional/natural.php

What kinds of beekeeping content are you most excited to see on our page? As we buzz into a season full of growth and fresh starts, we want to hear from you.

Your feedback helps us share content in creative ways that better serve our community. Let us know in the comment section what interests you and how we can make it engaging, useful, and enjoyable!

Looking to expand your beekeeping business? The University of Montana's online Commercial Honey, Wax, & Pollen Production course teaches you how to maximize yields, ease production, and find profitable markets for your bees' products.

Learn about apiary site selection, management of supers for large-scale honey production, bee products beyond honey, food and personnel safety, and state-of-the-art processing facilities.

Course starts May 4, 2026.

Learn more and register at www.umt.edu/bee/commercial/honey-wax-pollen.php