2025-2026 US Beekeeping Survey: Your Voice Matters

Dr. Anya Sharma · 2026-04-01

Hey there, fellow beekeepers. I know you're busy out there checking hives, managing colonies, and dealing with all the challenges that come with keeping our essential pollinators healthy. But I've got something important to share with you today, something that could shape the future of beekeeping across the country. Michigan State University has just launched the 2025-2026 United States Beekeeping Survey, and your participation is absolutely crucial. This isn't just another form to fill out—it's our collective chance to tell the real story of what's happening in our apiaries. ### Why This Survey Is Different You've probably seen surveys before. They can feel impersonal, like they're just collecting data points. This one's different. It's designed by beekeepers and researchers who actually understand what you're dealing with every single day. They're asking the right questions about colony health, pest pressures, overwintering success, and the economic realities of running an operation. Think of it this way: every time you lose a hive to varroa mites or struggle with pesticide exposure in your foraging areas, that's a story that needs to be told. This survey is how we tell it. The data gathered here doesn't sit in some academic journal gathering dust—it gets turned into real resources, better extension programs, and stronger advocacy for our industry. ### What Your Participation Means When you take 20-30 minutes to complete this survey, you're doing more than just answering questions. You're helping researchers understand patterns that individual beekeepers might miss. You're contributing to a national picture that shows where support is needed most. - Your data helps identify regional pest outbreaks before they become epidemics - Your experiences inform best practice recommendations for new beekeepers - Your challenges highlight where research funding should be directed - Your successes show what management strategies actually work in the field I'll be honest with you—I've filled out my survey already. It took me about 25 minutes while I was having my morning coffee. The questions made sense, they covered all the important aspects of my operation, and I felt like my voice was actually being heard. ### The Bigger Picture Remember that quote from last year's survey report that stuck with me: "Data without context is just numbers, but beekeeper experiences turn those numbers into knowledge." That's exactly what we're doing here—we're turning our individual experiences into collective knowledge that can drive change. Whether you're managing two hives in your backyard or two thousand hives across multiple states, your perspective matters. Commercial operators face different challenges than sideline beekeepers, and urban beekeepers deal with issues that rural beekeepers might never encounter. All these voices need to be represented. The survey covers everything from basic colony metrics to more nuanced questions about your business model, your biggest concerns for the coming season, and what resources would make your life easier. They're even asking about climate impacts—how shifting weather patterns are affecting your bloom schedules and honey flows. ### Taking Action Together Here's what I want you to do today. Set aside half an hour this week—maybe during your next hive inspection break or while you're cleaning equipment. Find a quiet spot, grab your operation records if you have them handy, and share your truth. Don't worry if you don't have perfect records or if you're still learning. Your experiences are valid whether you've been keeping bees for 30 years or 30 days. The survey is structured to accommodate all levels of beekeeping, from hobbyists to full-time professionals. When we all participate, we create a powerful dataset that can influence policy, guide research, and ultimately help all of us become better stewards of our bees. Our collective voice is stronger than any individual complaint or success story, and this survey is how we make that voice heard. So let's do this, beekeepers. Let's show them what's really happening in our apiaries, what's working, what's not, and where we need help. Your 30 minutes could contribute to years of improved beekeeping practices across the country. That's a pretty good return on investment if you ask me.