LEXINGTON, Ky., — The next installment of the Kentucky Proud Evenings series, Wednesday, Sept. 12, presents Tammy Horn, author of “Bees in America: How the Honey Bee Shaped a Nation.” The free monthly series, hosted by Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service, celebrates The University Press of Kentucky’s 75th anniversary with author discussions and samples from Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes.

Horn is Kentucky’s state apiarist as well as a beekeeper. She will discuss her book, which examines bees as a powerful symbol, a source of income and a metaphor for America’s place at the center of global advances in information and technology. The British brought the first honeybees to the New World, which is when Horn begins her story and continues to the present day when the American military is training bees to detect bombs. One of the first symbols of colonization, bees’ societal structures shaped our work, family, community and leisure ideals.

“No preparation or prior reading is required to attend. Just bring your zeal for knowledge and a companionable, fun evening,” said Diana Doggett, Fayette County family and consumer sciences extension agent. “These monthly author talks are great fun, and people go away with interesting nuggets of information.”

The series is made possible through a partnership between Fayette County Cooperative Extension, which is part of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and the University Press of Kentucky. Kentucky Proud Evenings begin at 6 p.m. at the Fayette County Extension office, 1140 Harry Sykes Way in Lexington.

Make reservations for the event by calling the Fayette County Extension office at 859-257-5582. Participants may purchase Horn’s book at the event.