Lycoming County commissioners presented a proclamation to Cheyenne Bastian Brown, a native of Lycoming County and the 2025 American Honey Queen, on Thursday, recognizing her role promoting beekeeping and pollinator health nationwide.

The proclamation noted that honeybees pollinate nearly one-third of the human diet and said the pollination work of honeybees contributes an estimated $20 billion annually in direct value to U.S. agriculture. Cheyenne Bastian Brown told commissioners she will travel nationwide to speak to schools, community groups and media about honeybees and pollinator health.

Cheyenne described how her involvement began in high school through the National FFA Organization at Canton Junior-Senior High School. “I wrote a speech about honeybees,” she said, and later served in state FFA roles before running for the American Honey Queen post. She said Varroa mite infestations have driven notable bee losses this spring and that beekeepers and associations are distributing educational materials to help control the pest.

Commissioners noted a local educational project: students working with the conservation district will place beekeeping equipment at a small section of the county farm for instructional use. A commissioner said the county expects the site to be used as an educational demonstration as the project develops.

Cheyenne encouraged residents to support pollinators by planting pollinator gardens, participating in No Mow May efforts and purchasing honey from local producers. The proclamation was presented without a formal vote recorded in the meeting minutes.

The county took a photograph and extended congratulations; no additional formal actions tied to the proclamation were recorded at the meeting.