NORTHERN QUEEN INITIATIVE

The northern queen initiative (nqi) operates a direct charitable program that runs a hands-on, cooperative breeding network to strengthen honey bee genetics in cold-climate states. Its work focuses on providing free and low-cost education in queen-rearing, on-farm training, and an open-source breeding protocol using locally adapted survivor stock selected for gentle behavior and natural mite resistance. Participants advance through two tiers: certified queen breeders, who raise and report on improved queens, and queen rearers, who help mate and distribute those queens while gaining experience. Nqi promotes pollinator resilience through a community-driven approach without relying on prophylactic chemicals.