About
The Honey Bee Health Coalition is a mission-driven, multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to achieving healthy populations of honey bees and other pollinators within productive agricultural systems and thriving ecosystems. The Coalition brings together beekeepers, growers, landowners, pesticide applicators, researchers, and home gardeners to collaboratively develop and implement evidence-based solutions for pollinator health challenges. Its core program areas include Hive Management (providing beekeepers with tools and techniques for optimal hive care), Habitat & Nutrition (ensuring pollinators have access to varied and nutritious forage), Crop Pest Management (guiding landowners on pest control practices that safeguard bees), and the Bee Integrated Demonstration Network (connecting beekeepers and landowners to test integrated approaches in real agricultural settings). The Coalition publishes a comprehensive library of Best Management Practice guides covering varroa mite management, foulbrood disease, and major crops including corn, soy, canola, and apples. These free resources are designed for anyone with a role in pollinator health — from commercial beekeeping operations to backyard gardeners. Whether you manage hives professionally, grow crops, or simply want to support local pollinators, the Coalition offers practical, science-backed guidance to help you make a positive impact.
Key Features
- Best Management Practice Guides: Free, science-backed BMP documents covering varroa mites, foulbrood, and major crops like corn, soy, canola, and apples to help growers and beekeepers protect pollinators.
- Hive Management Resources: Practical tools and techniques designed to help beekeepers at all levels maintain healthy, productive hives throughout the season.
- Bee Integrated Demonstration Network: A real-world network connecting beekeepers and landowners to trial and demonstrate integrated approaches that benefit both agriculture and pollinator health.
- Habitat & Nutrition Guidance: Recommendations and resources to help landowners and gardeners plant bee forage and ensure pollinators have access to a varied, nutritious diet.
- Crop Pest Management Advice: Guidance for farmers and pesticide applicators on controlling crop pests while minimizing harm to honey bees and other beneficial pollinators.
Use Cases
- A commercial beekeeper uses the Varroa Management guide to establish an integrated mite-control protocol across their operation.
- A corn or soybean farmer follows crop-specific Best Management Practices to apply pesticides in ways that minimize risk to nearby honey bee colonies.
- A landowner joins the Bee Integrated Demonstration Network to collaborate with local beekeepers and test pollinator-friendly farm management strategies.
- A backyard gardener references the Habitat & Nutrition resources to select the right plants for supporting local pollinators throughout the season.
- An agriculture educator uses Coalition materials to teach students and community members about the importance of bee health in food production systems.
Pros
- Completely Free Resources: All guides, best management practices, and educational materials are freely available to anyone, making expert pollinator health knowledge widely accessible.
- Multi-Stakeholder Approach: By uniting beekeepers, farmers, researchers, and industry partners, the Coalition produces balanced, practical guidance that works across different agricultural contexts.
- Comprehensive Topic Coverage: Covers the full spectrum of bee health challenges — from varroa mites and disease management to nutrition, habitat, and crop-specific practices.
Cons
- Not an Interactive Tool: The site is primarily a resource library and information hub rather than an interactive platform, so users cannot get personalized recommendations or diagnostics.
- Limited Scope Beyond Agriculture: Content is largely focused on agricultural and commercial beekeeping contexts, which may be less relevant for urban beekeepers or non-agricultural pollinator advocates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Honey Bee Health Coalition for?
The Coalition serves a broad audience including commercial and hobby beekeepers, farmers, pesticide applicators, landowners, home gardeners, researchers, and anyone interested in supporting pollinator health.
Are the resources and guides free to access?
Yes. All resources, best management practice documents, and educational content on the Honey Bee Health Coalition website are completely free to access and download.
What is the Bee Integrated Demonstration Network?
It is a program that connects beekeepers and agricultural landowners to collaborate and demonstrate integrated pest and hive management practices in real farming environments, generating practical data to improve pollinator health.
How can I get involved with the Coalition?
You can get involved by planting bee forage, following pollinator-friendly pest management practices, controlling varroa mites in your hives, spreading awareness, signing up for Coalition updates, or donating to support their programs.
What crops does the Coalition provide Best Management Practices for?
The Coalition has published Best Management Practice guides specifically for apples, canola, corn, and soybeans, in addition to general hive health and varroa management resources.
