AgriLife Extension’s Beekeeping 101 supports new beekeepers with research-backed program
What started as a niche class for Central Texas hobbyists has grown into a statewide movement to support and educate a new generation of beekeepers.
With backyard hives on the rise and a growing need for pollinators, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Beekeeping 101 program is empowering Texans to manage healthy colonies while protecting their investment with science-based practices.
The online course is the gateway to the agency’s Texas Master Beekeeper program where novices can continue their beekeeping education with apprentice, advanced, Master and Master Craftsman certifications.
The momentum behind this growth reflects a strategic investment made by AgriLife Extension with support from the Texas Beekeepers Association and Texas Legislature for the 2024 hire of honey bee specialist Garett Slater, Ph.D., as the agency’s first statewide entomologist dedicated to apiculture and honey bee education.
Slater is based in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology and located at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton. He is charged with expanding access to beekeeping training and ensuring Texas beekeepers, from hobbyists to commercial producers, have the science-backed tools and education they need to succeed.
“AgriLife Extension has a strong reputation within the industry, and we’re building on that,” Slater said. “We have a lot of Texans who are new to beekeeping, and we want to give them unbiased, scientifically proven information that helps them reach their idea of success.”
Building statewide support from the ground up
With Slater’s hire as a statewide honey bee specialist, Beekeeping 101 has expanded from a single online offering to a three-tiered program designed to meet beekeepers where they are, whether in suburban backyards, on rural acreage seeking ag exemptions or large-scale operations.
- Two-hour introductory sessions provide a broad overview and are frequently offered to local clubs.
- Four-hour county-level workshops offer deeper dives into bee biology, hive management and pest control, and are also available online.
- A 10-week apprentice course delivers 30 hours of instruction across 10 topics to help participants start and maintain healthy bee colonies.
Slater’s grassroots approach includes working closely with AgriLife Extension agents, building a network of mentorship and training that is responsive to local needs. He also frequently connects with stakeholders in the commercial industry and leadership within the Texas Beekeepers Association to keep the program relevant and practical.
Meeting a growing need across Texas
Gary Barber, president of the Texas Beekeepers Association and a commercial beekeeper, said the evolution of the program, and Slater’s role itself, has been critical for meeting a growing need across the state.
“Having experts committed to beekeeping has been invaluable as interest in beekeeping continues to grow,” Barber said. “We’re very excited because there are a lot of beekeepers who need help. And for new beekeepers, Beekeeping 101 is helping teach those basics and lets them know experts are there to help them through challenges.”
Phillip Kaufman, Ph.D., head of the Department of Entomology, said the program exemplifies how AgriLife Extension is helping the state meet rising demand for pollinator health and sustainable agriculture.
“Supporting Texas beekeepers is about more than education. It is about strengthening agricultural resilience, environmental health and economic opportunity,” Kaufman said. “As demand for pollinator services grows and beekeeping evolves across the state, we’re committed to meeting that need with science-informed education and strong partnerships with producers and industry.”
A model for applied impact
Slater’s work builds on more than a decade of AgriLife Extension service to beekeepers.
The original Beekeeping 101 program was launched in 2012 by Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension senior entomology program specialist in Bexar County, as a local offering to help new beekeepers get started. Her early success set the standard for beekeeper education and laid the groundwork for the broader impact made by the program today.
Now, with a greater statewide structure and a growing community of trained participants, AgriLife Extension’s educational beekeeping programs are helping more Texans, from backyard beginners to experienced producers, strengthen their skills and connect with trusted resources.
Begin your beekeeping journey
Ready to start your own backyard hive? Learn the essentials like honey bee biology, hive setup and the equipment you need in this beginner-friendly online Beekeeping 101 course.
