Local COLOSS North American 2026 Fosters Collaboration Across The International Beekeeping Community
Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu1 and Alessandra Giacomelli2
1Washington State University
2UNAAPI-Italian National Union Beekeeper Association
The first-ever Local COLOSS North America Conference, Nutrition, Landscape Change and Honey Bee Health: A Transatlantic Dialogue, brought together researchers, beekeepers, veterinarians, extension personnel, apiary inspectors, queen breeders, and industry leaders for a week of learning, collaboration, and hands-on experiences at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Held June 6–12, 2026, and organized by Dr. Priya Chakrabarti Basu, coordinator of the COLOSS North America Bee Nutrition Task Force, the hybrid event welcomed participants from six continents and highlighted the importance of building bridges between science and practical beekeeping. Alessandra Giacomelli (UNAAPI Italy), Michel Bocquet (Apimedia France), Dr. Daniel Alberoni (University of Bologna), Dr. Ivana Tlak Gajger (Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb), Maja Smodis Skerl (Agricultural Institute of Slovenia) and Marta Leite (Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária) co-organized this with Dr. Chakrabarti Basu.
Approximately 136 attendees participated both in person and online representing six continents and a diverse cross-section of the beekeeping and agricultural communities. Participants included university researchers, USDA scientists, members of major beekeeping organizations as well as commercial beekeepers, queen breeders, veterinarians, and industry representatives. Some of the major beekeeping organizations involved include the following: American Beekeeping Federation (ABF), American Honey Producers Association (AHPA), Canadian Honey Council (CHC), European Beekeeping Coordination (BeeLife), Apimondia Europe – International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations (European Region), European Professional Beekeepers Association (EPBA), Global Honey Integrity Coalition (GHIC) and European Beekeeping Association (EBA).
The conference featured numerous national and international oral and poster presenters and panelists, providing a rich exchange of ideas and the latest findings in honey bee research and management.
The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the COLOSS Bee Nutrition Task Force (NUTRI TF), the COLOSS BeeScholars Task Force, and the Working Groups 3 and 6 of the BeSafeBeeHoney COST Action (CA22105). The support of the COLOSS Executive Committee and numerous sponsors was crucial in hosting this meeting. While scientific presentations formed the foundation of the meeting, attendees particularly appreciated the hands-on workshops and field tours that connected research with real-world beekeeping and agriculture.
Dr. Craig McConnel and Alexandra Miller from the Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine provided a comprehensive tour of the facilities and capabilities. Participants appreciated not only touring the state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL), but also connecting with WA and international veterinarians at the tours. Dr. Ramesh Sagili of Oregon State University and Mckaela Hobday, a Ph.D. student with the WSU Bee Program, led an interactive apiary workshop focused on disease diagnosis. Dr. Brandon Hopkins, Dr. Kiersten Ritchie, and Molly Quade from the WSU Bee Program offered a behind-the-scenes look at the university’s honey bee breeding efforts.
Participants traveled to the WSU Bee Program’s Othello facility, located in the heart of Washington’s pollinator-dependent agricultural landscape. Commercial beekeepers Eric Olson (Olson’s Honey), Tim Hiatt (Hiatt Honey Co.), and George Hansen (Foothills Honey Company) shared insights into managing large-scale beekeeping operations and the challenges facing the industry today. Attendees also heard from Dr. Steve Sheppard, who discussed the WSU Bee Program’s efforts to preserve valuable honey bee genetics through international germplasm collection and cryopreservation. The day concluded with a visit to Royal Honey Co., where owner Bud Wilhelm and his team showcased commercial colonies pollinating canola and discussed the logistics of providing pollination services to agricultural producers.
A major highlight of the conference was showcasing the close relationship between beekeepers and crop producers. Attendees visited several diversified agricultural operations in the Othello area, including Zirkle Fruit, Bejo Seeds, and Klein Homestead Family Grain. At Zirkle Fruit, one of Washington’s largest family-owned fruit-growing operations, entomologist and Washington Tree Fruit Research Commissioner Teah Smith discussed integrated pest management, beneficial insects, regenerative agricultural practices, and organic production strategies. At Bejo Seeds, Brandon Kania explained the complexities of hybrid carrot seed production and the critical role honey bees play in ensuring successful cross-pollination. The final stop featured Jake Klein of Homestead Family Grain, who shared perspectives on growing winter canola and other crops in dryland systems where rainfall can strongly influence productivity.
The conference underscored the value of collaboration among researchers, beekeepers, agricultural producers, and industry stakeholders. Throughout the week, participants exchanged ideas, built new partnerships, and explored practical solutions to challenges affecting honey bee health and agricultural sustainability. Events such as the COLOSS North America Conference demonstrate how science, education, and industry can come together to promote healthier bees, stronger pollination services, and more productive agricultural systems. The success of this inaugural North American COLOSS gathering sets the stage for future collaborations and reinforces the importance of a shared, international commitment to honey bee health.