Who: Open to any active 4-H member. Top parish Essays may be submitted to the State and National Beekeeping Essay Competition. The deadline for essay submissions is April 7, 2022. Entries should be emailed to cbrady@agcenter.lsu.edu. There will be a VERY Quick turnaround for state submission uploads.
State Contest Sponsor: Louisiana Beekeepers Association
Cash Prices and Plaques to 3 Top Winners:
1st Place - $100, 2nd Place - $75, 3rd Place - $50
National Contest Sponsor: The American Beekeeping Federation, Inc. and the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc.
Cash Prices and Plaques to 3 Top Winners:
1st Place - $750, 2nd Place - $500, 3rd Place - $250
2020 Essay Topic: Overwintering: Bee Survival through the Cold Season
2021 Essay Topic: Overwintering: Threats to Bee Colonies and Methods to Defend Against the Threats
2022 Essay Topic: Transportation: Minimizing Stress on Bees While Getting Them Where They Need to Be
Special Notes and Guidelines:
- The
online form has four steps:
Section
1: Student Information
Section
2: Biographical Sketch
Section
3: Essay
Section
4: Submission - An essential judging criterion is the scope of research you put forth in developing the ideas behind your essay—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 and others familiar with the subject are valued sources of information and should be documented.
- Note that “honey bee” is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.
- The essay must be typewritten or computer-generated on single-sided pages and formatted following standard manuscript format using double-spaced type and 12pt font in a legible font face.
- The essay must encompass the designated topic in 750 to 1,000 words. Word count does not include sources, works cited, or the writer’s biographical statement.
- All factual statements and interview references must be cited in a “sources” or “Bibliography” list.
- 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%.
- On a separate page, please include a brief biographical statement of the writer including mailing address, email address, and phone number.
- National winning beekeeping essay examples can be found at the following link 2021Essays - Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees
- The winning Ascension essay will need to be uploaded by the member by April 8th, 2022 for the state contest. The link will be provided to the winner.
