2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To develop, design and initiate a “community of practice” for honey bees as an extension website. The National extension Initiative is a USDA-REE Extension Service effort to provide internet-based collaborative environment for information exchange. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) University of Tennessee will work with extension to develop a "community of practice" for honey bees. 3.Progress Report In Fiscal Year 2008 work commenced on setting up a Web site or “Community of Practice” on honey bees under the extension system. The National Extension Initiative is a USDA-REE Extension Service effort to provide an internet-based collaborative environment for information exchange. This Web site is meant to serve as a conduit for information exchange between scientists working to improve colony health and the beekeepers and growers who use honey bees. The University of Tennessee has extensive extension expertise and is in the process of developing materials to post on the Web site. Research findings from the 0500-00044-024-00D project will use this Web site as a primary means to rapidly communicate research findings to the consumer. Progress on this project is being monitored frequently via E-mail exchanges and phone conversations between ARS and University of Tennessee as needed.