Attention, UF/IFAS 4-H’ers!
The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (UF HBREL) is currently accepting submissions in response to the 2026 American Beekeeping Federation Foundation 4-H competition call for entries. Since national submissions are due on May 1, 2026, UF/IFAS state submissions will be due by 5:00pm US EST on Friday, April 17, 2026.
2026 Essay Topic: The Power of Pollen
For this essay, a 4-H student should answer these questions: How is pollen important to bees? Has pollen been changing in plants and in our landscapes? If so, are those changes affecting bees? When do you observe the most and least pollen in your colonies and how does that impact their temperament and productivity?
The UF/IFAS Florida winner will be notified and announced on April 27, 2026 and forwarded by UF HBREL to the national level.
You must work with your local 4-H office before submitting your essay. For competition rules and requirements, visit http://preservationofhoneybees.org/essays
State competition entries may be submitted for judging via e-mail to honeybee@ifas.ufl.edu. Use “4-H Essay Entry from <County>” as the subject line.
Good luck!
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