2010 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest
Announcement and Rules
Sponsored by The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc.

Each year, Georgia 4-H and the University of Georgia's Entomology Department organizes the 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest. This contest is a national competiton offered by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. The University of Georgia's Engomology Department will determine the top three essays in Georgia and send the first ranked winner on to compete on the national level, competing against states accross the nation. The national winner will be announced by May 1, 2010.

The Deadline for the 2010 contest is February 19, 2010. Please submit all entries to Lindsey Fodor, State 4-H Program Assistant. If you have any questions, please call the Georgia 4-H office at
706-542-4H4H or email fodor@uga.edu.

2010 Beekeeping Essay Contest Topic

“Is My Community Honey Bee-Friendly?”

Honey bees and other pollinators have been in the news lately. Many beekeepers have experiences colony losses to the yet-unexplained Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. These unexplained losses have caused some people to wonder: What can I do to help? For this essay, you should survey your community to see what is being done, or could be done to help honey bees. Perhaps there are classes to attract new beekeepers – or laws that prohibit beekeeping. Does your community allow roadsides and open land to grow up in blooming plants in the spring – or not? Are there resources to help home gardeners make bee friendly choices? What insecticides are required for pests (for example, mosquito control), are the insecticides chosen or applied with bee protection in mind? Include your state in your survey if there is some reason; for example, your state may have declared the honey bee your state insect, or your state highway department may have a wildflower seeding program.
The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of sources, and the variety of sources area all evaluated.
Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with the subject are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources, which are not cited in endnotes, should be listed in a “Resources” or “Bibliography” list.
Note that “honey bee” is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.

RULES and Regulations:

• Contest is open to active 4-H Club members only. 4-H’ers who have previously placed first, second, or third at the national level are not eligible; but other state winners are eligible to re-enter.
• Requirements (failure to meet any one requirement disqualifies the essay):
  * Preparation for National Judging: Typewritten or computer-generated, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times or similar type style, on one side of white paper following standard manuscript format.
  * Write on the designated subject only
  * All factual statements must be referenced with bibliographical-style endnotes.
  * A brief biographical sketch of the essayist, including date of birth, gender, complete mailing address, and telephone number, must accompany the essay.
  * Length – the essay proper: 750-1000 words.
  *The word count does not include the endnotes, the bibliography, or references, nor the essayist’s biographical sketch – which should be on a separate page.
  
• Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research – 40%; (b) accuracy – 30%; (c) creativity – 10%; (d) consciousness – 10%; and (e) logical development of the topic – 10%.
• Individual essayists should not forward essays directly to the Foundation office. Each state
  4-H office is responsible for selecting the state’s winner and should set it’s deadline so state judging can be completed at the state level in time for the winning state essay to be mailed to the Foundation office before March 1, 2010. No essay received after March 1 will be considered.
• Each state may submit only one entry.
• Final judging and selection of the National Winner will be made by the Foundation’s Essay Committee, whose decision is final.
• The National Winner will be announced by May 1, 2010.
• All National entries become the property of the Foundation and may be published or used as it sees fit. No essays will be returned.