Justin Crowe, Extension Specialist

State judging has been completed for the 2017 beekeeping essay contest conducted by The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. Our state winner is Christiana Gilbert from Unicoi County. The second place winner is Abbey King from Greene County and third place is awarded to Samantha Bussell of Macon County. Christiana will receive $100.00 and a book about honey bees, beekeeping and/ or honey as her award. Abbey will receive $75.00 as her award and Samantha will receive $50.00. The state donor is the Knox County Beekeepers Association. Christiana’s winning essay will be forwarded to the American Beekeeping Federation, Inc. for nation- al judging. The national winners will be announced by May 1. National awards are first place ($750), second place ($500) and third place ($250).

Congratulations to Christiana, Abbey, and Samantha, and thanks to those who made this opportunity available to their 4-H members.