2026 4-H Essay Contest Announcement and Rules

Sponsored by The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. 

& Virginia 4-H

Awards:  Cash Prizes to 3 Top State Winners at these levels – 1st-$100,  2nd- $50, 3rd- $25

State winner will be forwarded on to National competition and could win cash prizes as follows:

1st - $750, 2nd- $500, 3rd- $250

2026 4-H Essay Topic: The Power of Pollen

 For this essay, a 4-H student should answer these questions: 

How is pollen important to bees?  Has pollen been changing in plants and in our landscapes?  If so, are those changes affecting bees?  When do you observe the most and least pollen in your colonies and how does that impact their temperament and productivity?

An essential judging criterion is the scope of research you put forth in developing the ideas behind your essay—accounting for 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources and the variety of the sources are all evaluated. Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with the subject are valued sources of information and should be documented. Note that “honey bee” is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.

Put on your thinking caps and GO! 

Rules & Requirements:  

1. Contest is open to active 4-H Club members only.  4-H’ers who have previously placed first, second or third at the national level are not eligible; other state winners are eligible to re-enter.

2. Requirements (failure to meet any one requirement disqualifies the essay) –

• Preparation for National Judging:  ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ONLY, double spaced, 12-pt. Times or similar type style, following standard manuscript format.  Single sided pages.  Submit as a Microsoft Word compatible document.

• Write on the designated subject only.

• All factual statements must be referenced with bibliographical-style endnotes.

• A brief biographical sketch of the essayist, including date of birth, gender, complete mailing address, and telephone number, must accompany the essay on a separate page. Please also list your 4-H Extension Agent and county.

• Length – the essay proper: 750-1000 words.

• The word count does not include the endnotes, the bibliography or references, nor the essayist’s biographical sketch – which should be on a separate page.  The statement “I verify that AI was not used to create this essay” must also be included at the bottom of the essay and signed.

3. Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research – 40%; (b) accuracy – 30%; (c) creativity – 10%; (d) conciseness – 10%; and (e) logical development of the topic – 10%.

4. Essayists should forward essays to the state judging team postmarked by April 18, 2026.  The winner of the state contest will be forwarded to the national competition before May 1.

5. The state winner will be announced on May 1, 2026 and the National Winner will be announced the week of June 15, 2026.  

6. All National entries become the property of the Foundation and may be published or used as it sees fit.  No essay will be returned. The National winners’ essay will appear in an issue of the American Beekeeping Federation’s Newsletter.

7. Email state entries by the deadline (April 18, 2026) to:

safishe3@vt.edu

In the subject line:  VA. 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

All entries received will be promptly acknowledged; if you have not received an acknowledgment after 3 business days, please resubmit.