2012 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 organize the 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest. This contest is a national competition offered by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. The University of Georgia's Entomology 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 across the nation. The national winner will be announced by May 1st.

The Deadline for the 2012 contest is February 3, 2012. Please submit all entries electronically to Jenna Daniel, State 4-H Program Assistant. If you have any questions, please call the Georgia 4-H office at 706-542-4H4H or email jbrown10@uga.edu.

2012 Beekeeping Essay Contest Topic

" The Results of Honey Bee Pollination in my Community ”

Honey bees pollinate a wide variety of plants. The food crops that benefit from
honey bee pollination have been said to contribute one-third of the American
diet. In addition, many non-food plantings and natural environmental plants
benefit from honey bee pollination. The 4-H’ers are encouraged to investigate the
plants in their communities that benefit from honey bee pollination and
determine the results of that pollination.

The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting for 40% of
your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources, and
the variety of the sources are all evaluated.

Personal interviews with beekeepers, farmers and others familiar with the
subject are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources,
which are not cited in the 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.

FOR 2012 CONTEST: ONLY ESSAYS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY WILL BE ACCEPTED.

AWARDS:

• Each State Winner, including the national winners, receives an appropriate book about honey bees, beekeeping, or honey.

RULES and REGULATIONS:

• 1. 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.
  
  
• 2. Requirements (failure to meet any one requirement disqualifies the essay) -
  - 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 to 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.
  - Preparation for National Judging: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ONLY.
  Prepare your essays double-spaced, 12-pt. Times or similar type style,
  following standard manuscript format. Submit as a Microsoft Word
  compatible document.
  
  
• 3. Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research - 40%; (b) accuracy - 30%; (c) creativity - 10%; (d) conciseness - 10%; and (e) logical development of the
  topic - 10%.
  
  
• 4. 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 its 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, 2012. No essay received after March 1
  will be considered.
  
  
• 5. Each state may submit only one entry.
  
  
• 6. Final judging and selection of the National Winner will be made by the
  Foundation's Essay Committee, whose decision is final.
  
  
• 7. The National Winner will be announced by May 1, 2012.
  
  
• 8. All National entries become the property of the Foundation and may be
  published or used as it sees fit. No essay will be returned. National winning
  essays will be posted at: http://honeybeepreservation.org.