Bug Squad Blog
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Show me the honey! Show me the bees!
The UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP) will buzz into the annual California Honey Festival on Saturday, May 3, with its educational and entertaining outreach program.
The festival, free and family friendly, is set from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Woodland. Admission is free.
CAMBP officials are planning "an unforgettable, hands-on experience that brings science, stewardship, and creativity together in one exciting day!" said co-program managers Wendy Mather and Kian Nikzad. CAMBP, founded and directed by Elina Lastro Niño, professor of Cooperative Extension, Apiculture, and a member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty, is a science-based, continuous train-the-trainer program.
CAMBP's vision is "to certify Honey Bee Ambassador, Apprentice, Journey, and Master level beekeepers so they can effectively communicate the importance of honey bees and other pollinators within their communities, serve as mentors for other beekeepers, and become the informational conduit between the beekeeping communities throughout the state and UC Cooperative Extension staff," according to its website.
The California Honey Festival features honey tastings, cooking demonstrations, live music, and a variety of vendors. It was founded in 2017 by Amina Harris, then director of the UC Davis Honey and Pollnation Center and the city of Woodland, with a mission of promoting honey and honey bees and their products. Harris retired in 2023 from UC Davis but continues to be the “queen bee” of the family-owned, family-operated gourmet food business, Z Specialty Food LLC, Woodland, that her late husband, Ishai Zeldner founded in 1979. The business includes The Hive, a honey and wine-tasting room, shop and eatery.
"Our CAMBP outreach event is designed to educate the public and beekeepers of all levels on responsible honey bee husbandry," said Mather. "Our goal? To raise awareness and inspire action to prevent issues like pest and pathogen spread, and overly defensive bee populations—all through fun, engaging, and informative activities."
CAMBP invites the public explore its six interactive learning stations.
- Station 1: Honey Bee ID Under the Microscope: Get a close-up look at queens, drones, and workers to learn how to identify the castes of a honey bee colony.
- Station 2: Pest ID Under the Scope: Discover the threats that bee face, including varroa mites
- Station 3: The 4 Ps – Pests, Pathogens, Pesticides and Pasture: Learn from the experts at the UC Davis Bee Haven how integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and planting pollinator-friendly flora can help protect our bees.
- Station 4: Pollinator Educator and Crafts: A kid-friendly zone with fun, creative bee crafts like pom-pom bees and pollinators, coloring, music and "our famous pet-a-bee box"
- Station 5: CAMBP and Sacramento Area Beekeepers Inormation Booths: Ask questions about becoming a Certified Master Beekeeper and joining your local bee club. Topics also will include "Can I place a bee colony in my backyard; what are the city or county regulations? How can I volunteer? How can I become a certified Master Beekeeper?"
- Station 6: Bee-utiul Photo Booth: Strike a pose with pollinator-themed backdrops, wings, antennae and even a full bee costume
"This is more than just a festival—it’s a community experience where curiosity meets conservation," Mather said. "Whether you're a budding beekeeper or just bee-curious, there’s something for everyone."
Nationwide, beekeepers are experiencing crucial bee loses. This year commercial beekeepers have reported losses ranging from 60 to 100 percent of their hives.
Interested in helping the CAMBP outreach project? Access this link to the volunteer sign-up sheet. "We welcome all volunteers for our kids crafts and CAMBP certified beekeepers to work our science stations," Mather said.