In 2002, sparked by a class project in Plant and Animal Husbandry and interest of MS3 student Spencer Welton, two hives with approximately 20,000 honeybees were added to the variety of experiments being conducted at the Macoskey Center. Bees are beneficial in plant pollination, while also producing honey and beeswax. These hives are expected to produce up to 60 pounds of honey and offer beneficial pollination of many food crops at the center and on campus.

Unfortunately, the population of honeybees in the U.S. has declined the last 12 years due to the importation of two pestiferous mites, tracheal mite and the varroa mite. These pests have caused the death of millions of colonies, even with fairly effective controls available to beekeepers. This has increased the cost of beekeeping and reduced profits according to Kim Flottum, Editor Bee Culture Magazine.