Summary

The organization New Agriculture New Generation announces the training and advisory program “Queen Rearing in Central Greece – Utilization, Conservation, and Improvement of Bee Genetic Material | Phase A: Queen Breeders’ Training,” which will be implemented in the Regional Units of Boeotia, Evrytania, Phthiotis, and Phocis.

The program is co-financed by New Agriculture New Generation through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, and APIVITA and is carried out under the auspices of the Region of Central Greece.

Queen rearing refers to the process of producing queen bees. Through large-scale queen rearing with genetic selection criteria, which will take place in Phase B of the program by queen breeders trained during Phase A, the program contributes to addressing the decline in bee populations and improving the genetic traits of bee colonies.

The program is implemented in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens and is being carried out for the third consecutive year, having started in Thessaly in 2022 and expanding to Euboea the following year. Within this framework, it has already received significant distinctions in Greece, such as the Bravo Sustainability Award 2022 in the “Ecosystem and Biodiversity Protection” category and the GOLD Environmental Award in the “Sustainable Agriculture” category. Additionally, queen breeders trained in the program played a crucial role in the initiative “Restarting Beekeeping in Thessaly: Queen Rearing – Restoration and Conservation of Indigenous Genetic Material,” which supported beekeepers affected by Storm Daniel by providing 27,000 royal cells from selected genetic material.

Program Structure

The program “Queen Rearing in Central Greece: Utilization, Conservation, and Improvement of Bee Genetic Material” consists of two phases:

1. Selection and specialized training of up to 20 young individuals with knowledge and experience in beekeeping practices. They will receive training in queen rearing, royal jelly production, and advanced beekeeping techniques. After completing the required training, 8 of the most capable trainees with the willingness and ability to support the next stage of the program will be selected.

2. Deployment of the 8 trained specialists across the Region of Central Greece (approximately 2 per Regional Unit – Boeotia, Evrytania, Phthiotis, and Phocis). Their role will involve coordinating beekeepers in the area who wish to participate in the program and organizing demonstrations and the practical implementation of queen cell grafting for the production of high-quality queens from selected genetic material.

Program Goals

Phase A

The primary goal is to train a group of young beekeepers in queen rearing, equipping them with the skills to perform and demonstrate queen cell grafting to any beekeeper in the region who wishes to benefit. This initiative creates new income opportunities for young beekeepers and enhances their professional sustainability in the sector.

Phase B

The second phase involves a significant number of queen cell grafting procedures carried out by a team of specialized beekeepers who will demonstrate the process, explain it in detail, and address any questions from participating beekeepers. The objective is to familiarize a large number of beekeepers with high-quality queen production techniques.

The long-term goal of the program is the large-scale production of selected genetic material across the Regional Units of Boeotia, Evrytania, Phthiotis, and Phocis, ultimately aiming to increase honey production and develop more resilient bee colonies by optimizing the indigenous genetic material. Strengthening beekeeping in Central Greece will enhance the region’s biodiversity and boost local agricultural production, given that bees are among the most crucial pollinators in the ecosystem.

Educational Objectives

• Understanding the role of queen rearing in theory and practice
• Importance of selection and genetic improvement
• Bee disease management
• Royal jelly production and other bee products
• Understanding relevant legislation
• Development of communication skills

Target Audience

Phase A of the program is aimed at young beekeepers (excluding those in Euboea) with experience in beekeeping practices who are interested in specializing in queen rearing.

It is also crucial that participating beekeepers have the ability and commitment to pass on their knowledge during Phase B of the program, inspiring others about the benefits of bee selection and genetic improvement.

Number of Beneficiaries

Phase A: 20 beekeepers

Training Structure

• Theoretical training: 75 hours in total
• Practical training: 25 hours in total
• Total training duration: 100 hours

Training Location (2025 Cycle)

Region of Central Greece (excluding Euboea) – Training sessions will be held near Lamia.

Timeline

• Phase A Training: January – February 2025 (100 hours of training)
• Classes will take place in the morning hours
• Attendance is mandatory
• Phase B (grafting process): Approx. March – September 2025

Curriculum (Indicative Topics)

• Fundamentals of queen rearing
• Traditional queen rearing method
• Variations of the traditional method
• Mating nucs
• Shipping and introduction of queens
• Selection and genetic improvement
• Royal jelly production methods
• Professional royal jelly production
• Reproductive behavior and mating
• Bee diseases and pests
• Bee products
• Beekeeping legislation
• First aid
• Communication skills development

Certification

A Certificate of Attendance will be provided.

Participation Fee

The program is free of charge.

Instructors

The program is implemented in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens, which designed the educational component under the scientific guidance of the Sericulture and Apiculture Laboratory, led by Assistant Professor Georgios Gkoras. Watch an informational video from a previous training cycle.

Application Process

Active beekeepers from the Regional Units of Boeotia, Evrytania, Phthiotis, and Phocis can apply. Priority will be given to applicants under 45 years old.

Selection will be conducted through personal interviews.

More Information

Kalliopi Karaboiki, Capacity Building Manager
New Agriculture New Generation
Tel: +30 210 6917986, +30 6972096122
Email: [email protected]

Open Olive Academy – Messinia

Upskilling of Olive Growers

Summary

The “Open Olive Academy – Messinia” program aims to transfer knowledge and expertise to olive growers in the Regional Unit of Messinia. It is based on the creation of a comprehensive, coherent, and at the same time intensive training seminar cycle focused on the olive and olive oil sector, which also includes experiential training.

The program is co-funded by the organization “New Agriculture New Generation,” through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), by the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, is supported by Bayer, BASF, and PJ Condelis SA, and is implemented in collaboration with the Union of Messinia.

Under the Auspices of the Peloponnese Region.

The seminars cover the entire chain of olive cultivation production.

Program Objective

The adoption of modern olive cultivation practices by the olive growers of Messinia in order to improve their production processes and strengthen their competitiveness and outward orientation.

Target Audience:

The program is addressed to olive growers, either full-time or part-time, who are active in the Regional Unit of Messinia. In addition, professionals from the entire olive and olive oil value chain—such as olive mill owners, processors, and traders—may also participate in the seminars.

Trainers:

The seminars will be delivered by specialized staff and scientific experts from the “New Agriculture New Generation” organization, as well as external partners, such as market professionals and consultants with recognized expertise in production, standardization, packaging, and marketing, along with academics and university professors.

Program Duration:

The program consists of 54 training hours and includes six (6) two-day sessions, delivered in person in Kalamata.

Training Program

The seminars are divided into two thematic modules, covering the following topics:

Training Cycle I, Duration: June 20 – July 5, 2025

· Preparation & establishment of olive grove
· Olive tree physiology
· Cultivation practices
· Plant protection & Climate Change

Training Cycle II, Duration: September 5 – October 11, 2025

· Economic Concepts
· Soil management – New trends and certification systems
· Olive oil quality and processing
· Olive oil tasting
· Visit-friendly olive groves & Olive tourism
· Informative Event

See the detailed schedule of the Educational Cycles.

Training Venue:

Facilities of the Agricultural Cooperative “Union of Messinia” (map with location)

Training Certificate

A Certificate of Attendance will be provided.

Participation Cost

There is no participation fee for the program.

More Information

Domna Zoureilidou, Capacity Building Manager, New Agriculture New Generation
Phone: +30 2310 471 292
Email: [email protected]

Program Title

Rebuilding Beekeeping Sector in Thessaly: Queen Rearing: Replenishing Bee Colonies and Rescuing Local Genetic Material

Brief Description

The organization New Agriculture New Generation announces the initiation of the program “Rebuilding Beekeeping Sector in Thessaly: Queen Rearing: Replenishing Bee Colonies and Rescuing Local Genetic Material”. The program is aimed at all affected beekeepers in Thessaly and is implemented within the framework of the action “Rebuilding Beekeeping Sector in Thessaly”.

The program is designed and implemented in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens, under the scientific guidance of the Laboratory of Sericulture and Beekeeping, headed by Associate Professor Georgios Goras. It is co-funded by the organization New Agriculture New Generation through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the Region of Thessaly, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, and the company APIVITA.

The program “Rebuilding Beekeeping Sector in Thessaly: Queen Rearing: Replenishing Bee Colonies and Rescuing Local Genetic Material” will be implemented from April to September 2024 and will provide support to 300 affected professional beekeepers in Thessaly, by supplying 27,000 queen cells.

The above actions will contribute not only to the restoration of the damages caused by “Daniel” but also to the development of conditions for the future strengthening of the sector in Thessaly.

Purpose of the Program

The organization New Agriculture New Generation aims to contribute to the reconstruction of the beekeeping sector and to support the beekeepers of Thessaly after the floods caused by the phenomenon “Daniel”.

The program aims to support up to 300 beekeepers affected by the catastrophic weather event Daniel with 27,000 queen cells originating from the endemic genetic material of the region. The production of queen cells will be carried out by 10 specialized queen breeders who will provide queen cells either from their own selected genetic material or from selected genetic material of the beekeeper, if available. The program offers the opportunity to produce suitable genetic material and quality queens with the ultimate goal of quickly replenishing the lost bee colonies.

The 10 specialized queen breeders were trained in the successful program “Queenrearing: Utilization, Rescue, and Improvement of Bee Genetic Material in Thessaly” and performed more than 800 inoculations between 2022 and 2023. This specific action has already received significant awards in Greece, such as the Bravo Sustainability Award 2022, category “Protection of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” and the GOLD Environmental Award, category “Sustainable Agriculture”.

Target Audience

All beekeepers in Thessaly.

Priority will be given to affected beekeepers, following evaluation of applications.

Areas of Action

Regional Units of Larissa, Karditsa, Magnesia, Trikala.

Application Submission & Duration of Action

Phase B of Participation Applications until April 30, 2024.

The provision of queen cells will take place from April to September 2024.

Contact Numbers for Larissa Regional Unit

Elina Kampisiou: 6974012351

Ioannis Senkos: 6936820666

Contact Numbers for Karditsa Regional Unit

Katerina Apostolopoulou: 6993736456

Alexandros Giannakopoulos: 6988198696

Alexandros Liatsos: 6976290719

Giorgos Xiros: 6983603675

Contact Numbers for Magnesia Regional Unit

Dimitris Kolettas: 6974202989

Periklis Stamou: 6972501043

Contact Numbers for Trikala Regional Unit

Konstantinos Lamprogeorgos: 6979630121

Ioannis Topalidis: 6974917578

For More Information

Kalliopi Karamboiki, Capacity Building Manager

New Agriclture New Generation

Tel: 2106917986, 6972096122

Email: [email protected]

Filippa Griva

Agricultural University of Athens

Tel: 6982187876

Email: [email protected]