**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** HONEY BEES ARE THE PRIMARY INSECT POLLINATOR OF ~100 CROPS GROWN IN THE US. THE CATASTROPHIC FLOODING FOLLOWING HURRICANE HELENE IN THE SOUTHERNA APPALANCHAINS RESULTED IN MANY BEEKEEPERS LOSING ENTIRE APIARIES LEAVING THE LOCAL HONEY BEE POPULATION DECIMATED. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP BEEKEEPERS IN THE REGION GROW THEIR COLONIES BACK BY PROVIDING TRAINING THAT HELPS THEM RAISE NEW QUEENS AND THUS ENABLE THEM TO SPLIT THEIR COLONIES TO GROW THEIR NUMBERS BACK TO PRE-HURRICANE LEVELS. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WE WILL HOLD NUMEROUS WORKSHOPS ON QUEEN REARING AND BEST-MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO HELP INCREASE COLONY SURVIVAL. WE WILL ALSO SAMPLE COLONIES IN AFFECTED AND UNAFFECTED REGIONS TO SEE IF THE ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS OF FLOODING HAS RESULTED IN INCREASED DISEASE ACROSS THE REGION. WE EXPECT BEEKEEPERS TO QUICKLY ADOPT THESE PRACTICES AND FACILITATE THEIR REPOPULATION OF THE MANAGED HONEY BEE POPULATION IN THE AREA TO BETTER SERVE POLLINATION DEMANDS BY GROWERS.