Identifying incentives and barriers for the incorporation of beekeeping as a side livelihood strategy

Commodities

• Animals: bees
• Animal Products: honey

Practices

• Animal Production: other
• Education and Training: extension, focus group, networking, workshop

The Latino community comprises 75% of the agricultural labor force in the United States. For this population, beekeeping offers a unique opportunity as a side livelihood strategy that could substantially enhance their income. This integrated research and education project aims to provide an educational program for farmers and farm employees within the Latino community, facilitating the adoption of beekeeping as a viable side business. Simultaneously, we will engage with the target population to identify barriers and incentives related to beekeeping adoption.

The educational program will be delivered in Spanish through online webinars, in-person workshops, and farm visits, complemented by regular virtual meetings to support participants as they embark on their beekeeping journey. Participants will gain essential skills, such as honey bee management, disease identification, and honey extraction, through a combination of lectures, hands-on workshops, and on-site consultations. We will use a Spanish-language curriculum for those who prefer it, alongside accessible communication tools-like a WhatsApp group-to ensure inclusivity. Participants' knowledge will be evaluated through quizzes after webinars, hands-on demonstrations during workshops, and assessments of bee colonies during farm visits. Biweekly reports will monitor participants' engagement and the application of their newly acquired skills, culminating in expected honey harvests that will indicate the program's success and potential for revenue generation.

In tandem with these educational efforts, our research component will explore the barriers and incentives that LatinX farmers and workers face in adopting beekeeping practices. Through semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted before and after the project, we aim to gather insights into their agricultural backgrounds, motivations, and experiences with beekeeping. This research will not only inform future educational programs but also help build a supportive network for LatinX beekeepers, promoting resource sharing and community engagement. Ultimately, this project seeks to foster sustainable practices that benefit participants and their communities.

We propose an integrated program that combines research and education by offering accessible Spanish-language training to Latino farmers, enabling them to start a beekeeping business while examining cultural, economic, and communication barriers to technology adoption. A collaborative team of entomologists, rural sociologists, and extension educators will lead this project, guided by an advisory board consisting of a Penn State Extension Educator, an experienced English-speaking beekeeper, and a Latino farm manager.

We will offer an educational program to twenty-five Latino farmers and farm employees to help them adopt beekeeping in the Northeast as a side livelihood activity, resulting in approximately sales of $1,200 per year per farmer.