The Georgia Beekeepers Association is excited to launch our first annual Winter Webinar Series! We are thrilled to have Dr. Garett Slater as the presenter at our first session, and Dr. Joerg Mayer will be our GBA host. Attendance is free to GBA members, but registration is required.

Session topic: All about Honey

Honey is more than just a sweet product of the hive. Each honey has unique characteristics influenced by the floral sources bees visit and how the honey is produced and stored. Understanding these differences can help beekeepers evaluate honey quality, improve their products, and better communicate their value to consumers. In this session, Garett Slater will discuss what makes honey unique, the properties that influence its quality, and how laboratory testing can help beekeepers better understand their honey. He will also discuss the importance of sensory evaluation and how combining laboratory results with sensory characteristics can provide a more complete understanding of honey quality and value.

Dr. Garett Slater is an Assistant Professor and Apiculture Extension Entomologist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, based in Overton, Texas. He leads the statewide apiary program, delivering education, outreach, and applied research to support sustainable beekeeping and stronger honey bee colonies across Texas. He coordinates the Texas Master Beekeeper Program and works closely with beekeepers through workshops, courses, and field-based training. His research focuses on honey bee breeding and genetics, with an emphasis on developing practical tools to improve queen quality, colony health, and productivity. Dr. Slater also leads the new Texas Honey Bee Diagnostic Lab, which provides beekeepers with diagnostic services in areas such as honey bee health, genetics, pathogens, nutrition, and honey quality. Dr. Slater earned degrees from North Dakota State University and Purdue University and completed postdoctoral research with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.