Expanding Career Success and Environmental Stewardship Through Beekeeping Education

Project Overview

YENC18-123
Project Type: Youth Educator
Funds awarded in 2018: $2,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2020
Grant Recipient: Lyle Public School
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Project Manager:
James Hansen
Lyle Public School

Commodities

  • Animals: bees
  • Animal Products: honey

Practices

  • Education and Training: demonstration, display, mentoring, networking, youth education
  • Pest Management: biological control, cultural control

    Proposal abstract:

    The community does not receive education about beekeeping in any arena. It is very important that the economic, social, and environmental aspects of beekeeping be exposed to the public. We will make a comparison between the Flow and Langstroth Hives to see if they are worth the extra cost and can make up for it in labor savings. Our program will have a minimum of a 1 acre pollinator garden to demonstrate environmental stewardship. We will demonstrate beekeeping and encourage others to get involved in the social aspects of beekeeping and support a collaborative marketing effort.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    • Compare and contrast the Flow and Langstroth Hives for labor efficiency, honey production, and observe their hive culture.
    • Create a pollinator garden at the front of our school for high public exposure and public and student education opportunities on the environmental benefits of honey bees.
    • Collaborate with the North Central Iowa Beekeeping Club and other adults to create a connection between students and the community to foster the social aspects of beekeeping and encourage more people to become beekeepers and pursue careers in the industry.
    • Investigate and explore marketing alternatives for a collaborative marketing effort for small scale beekeepers.
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.