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expandedbeekeeper Love Alabama’s fresh fruit + flowers? Thank these pollinators — Bee Center Director Geoff Williams leads research + outreach efforts to support bees now and into the future. (Auburn OCM)

If you’ve ever enjoyed a slice of juicy watermelon or a handful of fresh blueberries during an Alabama summer, you have bees to thank—and at Auburn University College of Agriculture, there’s an entire center dedicated to protecting them.

Tucked within Auburn’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, the Auburn University Bee Center is buzzing with research, outreach and hands-on student experiences that go far beyond the hive.

Why bees matter (more than you might think)

AuburnOCM Beecollection Love Alabama’s fresh fruit + flowers? Thank these pollinators — Bee species located in the native bee lab in Upchurch Hall at Auburn University. (Auburn OCM)

Let’s get one thing straight before we go any further: Bees are not just important, they’re essential. According to Bee Center director Geoff Williams, pollination basically makes the world go ‘round.

“Pollination is the most important reason for caring about bees. They’re moving pollen from one flower to another, and that has huge, exponential implications for agriculture.”
Geoff Williams, Director, Auburn Bee Center

Bees transfer pollen between flowers, allowing crops to produce fruit. That means healthier harvests, stronger local food systems and a more resilient agricultural economy across the state.

About one-third of the food we eat depends on pollinators like bees. Foods like almonds, blueberries, apples and even coffee rely heavily on them. Without bees, many of these crops would become scarce, more expensive or disappear altogether.

Native bees are just as important. More wild and solitary than honey-producing bees, they evolved alongside native plants, creating their own nests in pieces of wood, in the ground or plant stems. (A great reason to not clean up your yard waste early. The hatchlings grow there).

What the Bee Center actually does

AuburnOCM GeoffWilliams TechnicianFrankSchellace Love Alabama’s fresh fruit + flowers? Thank these pollinators — Researchers seek to promote the health of honey bees and native bees as they contribute to the production of many crops that we rely on for food. (Auburn OCM)

At its core, the Bee Center is tackling some of the most pressing threats to bee populations.

Researchers are studying parasites like the varroa mite, one of the most damaging threats to honey bee colonies. They’re also monitoring emerging risks, like the tropilaelaps mite, which hasn’t reached North America yet—but could pose a serious future threat.

At the same time, the center works with farmers and landowners to explore simple, effective ways to support pollinators—like planting wildflower strips or adjusting tillage practices to protect ground-nesting bees (which make up about 80% of bee species).

Hands-on opportunities for students

AuburnOCM TechnicianDillonMahalko Love Alabama’s fresh fruit + flowers? Thank these pollinators — Students work in the native bee lab in Upchurch Hall to develop renderings and (Dylan Mahalko)

Beyond research, the Bee Center plays a critical role in connecting science to the public. Through outreach efforts, the Bee Center regularly works with schools, clubs and community groups to promote pollinator awareness. Demand is high: Williams says they receive multiple requests each week from educators hoping to bring bee science into their classrooms.

Just as important: The Bee Center serves as a hub for all bee-curious students across majors, not just those studying entomology.

By sharing equipment, lab space and expertise across disciplines, students can work alongside faculty on research and outreach. Some might analyze data or study bee health, while others help design educational campaigns or produce videos.

That flexibility means students in fields like communications, geography or even film can find a place at the Bee Center. And while not all of them will go on to work directly with bees, they leave with valuable, transferable skills along with a deeper understanding of how pollinators impact the world around them.

Small actions, big impact

Heather Broccard Bell PostdocLenaBarascouInThailand Love Alabama’s fresh fruit + flowers? Thank these pollinators — You have bees to thank for honey, food, flowers and much more. (Auburn OCM)

The Bee Center’s work ultimately comes back to one big idea: Healthy pollinators are essential to healthy communities.

From the food we eat to the ecosystems we depend on, bees play a quiet but critical role. And supporting them doesn’t require a degree in agriculture. Simple actions like planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use or creating small pollinator-friendly spaces can make a meaningful difference.

Because when it comes to Alabama agriculture (and the ecosystems that support it) bees are doing more than just buzzing around. They’re quietly keeping it all growing!

Learn more about where Auburn’s College of Agriculture can take you.

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