2025 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition
Sponsored by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honeybees, Inc.
CA State deadline is April 14, 2025.
Submit your complete essay entry by April 14, 2025 to Gemma Miner at gmminer@ucanr.edu.
Theme: The Importance of Youth in Beekeeping: How 4-H members can make a difference!
Essay requirements
Essays must be typed and formatted using double-spaced type and 12pt font in a legible font face.
In 750 to 1,000 words, answer these questions:
- Why youth is important in beekeeping
- How can 4-H members make a difference?
- How can more young people get involved in beekeeping?
- What are your future plans as a beekeeper?
- What is a major contribution a young beekeeper has brought to the industry?
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."
On a separate page, please include a biographical statement of the writer including mailing address, email address and phone number.
Eligibility
- Must be a current 4-H member.
- Members who placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in previous years at the national level are NOT eligible for 2025 prizes.
One essay will be selected from California 4-H submissions to enter the national contest.
Judging
- 40% Scope of research
- 30% Accuracy
- 10% Creativity
- 10% Conciseness
- 10% Logical development of topic
Decisions made by the trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees during national judging are final. All national competition entries become the property of the foundation and may be used as it sees fit. No essays will be returned.
Awards
- All authors of essays submitted to the national competition will receive a relevant book on honey bees, beekeeping or honey.
- First prize: $750
- 2nd Prize: $500
- 3rd prize: $250
The 3 prize-winning essays will be published in ABF Quarterly, the magazine of the American Beekeeping Federation.
National winners will be announced on June 15, 2025.