State apiarist Michael Studer speaks at Cleveland State today

Michael Studer will speak on the importance of bees and conservation at Cleveland State Community College on Aug. 31.
Michael Studer will speak on the importance of bees and conservation at Cleveland State Community College on Aug. 31.

Michael Studer will speak on the importance of bees and conservation at Cleveland State Community College today, Aug. 31, at 3 p.m. The talk will be held in the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center Theater, 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tenn.

Studer's presentation is part of a seminar series sponsored by the Greg A. Vital Center for Natural Resources and Conservation, the first named academic program at the college.

"Since pollinators are so important in the environment, I thought this would be a great way to start off this seminar series," says Robert Brewer, associate professor of biology.

"Mike is a good speaker; everyone will get something out of this. Most places usually charge for him, so this is a great opportunity to hear him speak at no charge. The community can attend for free."

Studer is an apiarist and apiculturist for the state of Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Consumer and Industry Services. Some of his responsibilities include colony inspection, entry permits, moving colonies, pollination list, apiary registration, collaborative research and education with the state apiculturist and other regulatory issues.

"Basically, I'm responsible for all the honeybees in the state of Tennessee," Studer says. "Trying to keep them alive, trying to make sure there are no disease problems, regulating bees coming in and going out and moving within the state.

"I like to talk about the importance of bees, how they are used in agriculture and aren't just important for producing our food - they are responsible for producing things like hay and other crops. They pollenate clover, alfalfa, things like that. They pollenate things in the forest and help wildlife. They do a lot of good for everything."

For more information: 423-472-7141, ext. 342.

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