Celebrating the Damron Family Legacy at UF/IFAS

On July 30, the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL) honored the Damron family by dedicating its lab manager’s office in their memory. The newly named Damron Family Office recognizes the contributions of William Henry Damron, Effie Eugenia Brown Damron, and Dr. Bobby Leon Damron to Florida agriculture, beekeeping, and youth development.

A Family Rooted in Agriculture and Education

William and Effie Damron, longtime residents of Alachua County, managed 350 honey bee hives and helped pollinate crops across North Central Florida. Effie was active in the Extension’s Home Demonstration Club, and their son Bobby was deeply involved in 4-H.

Bobby grew up in Gainesville, graduated from Gainesville High School in 1959, and earned three degrees from the University of Florida. He joined UF’s faculty in 1968 as a professor of poultry science and remained committed to youth programs and agriculture throughout his life. He and his wife Vera met through the Florida 4-H camping program and stayed involved for decades. Bobby also served on the Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock board and judged poultry competitions.

After retiring in 2003 as a Professor Emeritus in Animal Science, Bobby was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame in 2015.

Honoring the Damron Family Legacy

Vera Damron next to an office at the UF/IFAS HBREL displaying a placard which reads "In Memory of DAMRON FAMILY William Henry & Effie Eugenia, Dr. Bobby Leon" — Vera T. Damron

To honor her family’s legacy, Vera Damron established the William Henry, Effie Eugenia Brown & Dr. Bobby Leon Damron Family Honey Bee Extension Endowment. This fund supports honey bee outreach programs, especially Bee College and the Master Beekeeper Program. It is the first endowment entirely dedicated to supporting HBREL Extension programs.

Bee College is a hands-on training event for beekeepers of all levels, held across Florida.
The Master Beekeeper Program offers four advanced online courses for those looking to deepen their knowledge and skills.

Vera’s gift ensures these programs will continue to educate and support beekeepers and communities across the state.

“This endowment is a first of its kind,” said Amy Vu, State Specialized Extension Agent in Apiculture. “This contribution will support veteran beekeepers or 4-H members in our programs for many years to come. We are grateful for this contribution and happy to continue sharing the Damron family legacy.”

A Special Dedication Ceremony

Vera Damron, Dr. Andrew Short, Dr. Jamie Ellis, and Todd Bundy pose with the newly dedicated Damron Family Office at the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory. — Left to right: Mr. Todd Bundy, Mrs. Vera T. Damron, Dr. Jamie Ellis, and Dr. Andrew Short.

The office dedication took place during the lab’s 4-H University workshop, part of a a week-long summer event for high school students held at UF. Vera Damron joined HBREL faculty and 4-H youth for the ceremony. Special guests included Todd Bundy, president of the Florida 4-H Foundation, and Dr. Andrew Short, chair of the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology.

4-H Short Course, first held in 1916, transformed over the decades to become 4-H Congress and now 4-H University. In a touching tribute to the past, Vera brought Bobby’s 4-H Short Course t-shirt from the 1950s to the event, connecting generations of 4-H youth and celebrating a lifetime of service and impact.

To join the Damron family in supporting honey bee Extension, make a gift online by clicking here.

Group of students faculty and supporters at the Damron Family Office dedication. They are at the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory lobby. — Lab manager Chris Oster holds the sign that will soon adorn his office, while Vera Damron holds her late husband Bobby’s 4-H short course shirt. 4-H youth joined the event, connecting the past to the present.

The mission of the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL) is to advance our understanding of managed honey bees in Florida, the U.S., and globally, with a goal of improving the health and productivity of honey bees everywhere.

Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life.