Honey An Overview of the Honey Industry in Georgia

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HoneyAn Overview of the Honey Industry in Georgia
Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum
Office Dr. Frank Flanders and Catrina
Kennedy September 2006
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Objectives

• The student will be able to
• Describe why honey is important to the state of
  Georgia.
• Identify products made from honey.
• Describe the different types of honey.
• Identify states that have the largest honey
  production.

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Why is the Honey Industry Important

• One-third of the human diet can be traced
  directly, or indirectly, to bee pollination.
• About 130 agricultural plants in the United
  States are pollinated by bees, and the annual
  value of honey bee pollination to U.S.
  agriculture is estimated at over 9 billion.
• Georgia has 75,000 bee colonies and 2,000 hobby
  and commercial beekeepers. The industry generates
  70 million each year in the state through sales
  of honey, beeswax, queen bees and package bees.

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Honey Products
Clover Honey Beeswax Body Butter Lip Balm
Royal Jelly Candles Body Cream Various Honeys
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Honey Production

• North Dakota
• California
• South Dakota
• Florida
• Minnesota
• Montana
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• Arkansas
• Idaho
• 16. Georgia

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Types of Honey

• Comb honey
• Liquid (extracted)  
• Granulated (creamy) honey
• Chunk honey

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Interesting Facts

• Honey is antimicrobial due to it's high sugar
  content, low pH and the presence of organic acids
  (Use it to treat cuts, scrapes and burns as well
  as to prevent scarring!)
• Honey is used as a hair and facial treatment due
  to the fact that it attracts and retains
  moisture.
• Honey never goes "bad". It is slightly acidic
  and, therefore, not conducive for bacterial
  growth.
• Honey is the only food produced by insects that
  is eaten by man!
• There are over 300 different varieties of honey
  produced in the United States, each having it's
  own distinct color and flavor.

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Assessment

1. How many plants are pollinated from bees?
2. How many bee colonies are in Georgia?
3. Georgia generate how much money through honey
   production?
4. Name three products that are produced from honey.
5. What state is number 1 in the nation for honey
   production?
6. Where does Georgia rank in honey production?
7. What are the four types of honey?
8. How many varieties of honey are there?

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Answers

1. 130
2. 75,000
3. 70 million
4. Clover Honey, Royal Jelly, Beeswax, Candles, Body
   Butter, Body Cream, Lip Balm, Various Honeys
5. North Dakota
6. 16th
7. Comb honey, Liquid (extracted) , Granulated
   (creamy) honey, Chunk honey
8. Over 300