CORVALLIS, Ore. — Two years ago, Elva Webster knew nothing about bees. Today she’s on her way to tending her own hives as a participant in a groundbreaking Spanish-language version of the Oregon State University Extension Service Master Beekeeper Program.
“The benefit of having the class in their native language is that participants can relax and talk to each other. It’s a much better experience and the response has been really positive. Participants are engaged. They are very happy to be there learning about bees.”
The program, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, added the Spanish track in 2020. It mirrors the English-language program, teaching science-based beekeeping techniques through three levels — apprentice, journey and master — supported by mentoring, hands-on training and independent study.
The Spanish-language version is the first of its kind in the United States, said Carolyn Breece, faculty research assistant in the OSU Honey Bee Lab and coordinator of the program.
“The benefit of having the class in their native language is that participants can relax and talk to each other,” Breece said. “It’s a much better experience and the response has been really positive. Participants are engaged. They are very happy to be there learning about bees.”
Breece developed the program after noticing Latino crew members at a commercial beekeeping workshop speaking mostly among themselves. She recognized the need for formal training tailored to Spanish-speakers. Support came from Jen Larsen, who coordinates Oregon’s Master Beekeeper Program.
“One of the areas in which the program shines is our mission to provide an in-depth, beginner-level educational experience to beekeepers all around our region,” Larsen said. “Now, with our ability to transmit this information to Spanish-speaking beekeepers, we’ve filled a badly needed gap.”
Hives in mind
Webster, who has completed the apprentice level, is garden and community engagement coordinator at Huerto de la Familia (The Family Garden), a Lane County nonprofit that provides opportunities in organic agriculture and small-business creation for Spanish-speaking families.
She manages six community gardens and looks forward to helping oversee volunteer-tended hives. Her goal is to share knowledge with gardeners who want to grow the foods they ate in their home countries.
“A lot of our Spanish-speaking people are from different countries,” said Webster, originally from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. “They love to grow their own vegetables. They eat different foods and need information in the language they are most familiar with.”
Webster and 13 others attended three hands-on workshops in the apiary at OSU’s Honey Bee Lab. They learned the basics of spring hive management, summer honey production and overwintering colonies. Next comes the journey level, which requires community service, independent assignments and a research presentation. Only seven of 2,319 students enrolled since 2012 have reached Certified Master Level Beekeeper.
Growing demand
The Spanish-language training will continue in 2023 with a new commercial beekeeping workshop, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Ramesh Sagili, professor of apiculture and Extension honey bee specialist, said the need is clear.
“Spanish-speaking clientele interested in beekeeping has steadily increased and the Latino workforce plays a vital role in commercial operations,” Sagili said. “With our new Spanish version of the program, we envision meeting this demand while promoting honey bee health and fostering inclusivity and diversity.”
‘Amazing opportunity’
Webster first became interested in bees when three hives were donated to one of Huerto de la Familia’s community gardens. Already a passionate gardener, she quickly became fascinated with beekeeping.
“The bee class is an amazing opportunity,” Webster said. “I’m just so happy out there. The more I learn, the more fascinating it becomes.”
She said the program has given her a deeper appreciation for pollinators.
“If bees die, we die,” Webster said. “If they can’t pollinate, we don’t harvest anything. Now I’m motivated to plant more flowers that are good for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.”
Previously titled Master Beekeeper program adds groundbreaking Spanish-language track as it celebrates 10th year
