Apiculture, the study and maintenance of honeybees, often begins as a hobby, with beekeepers later expanding their interest into small businesses. A beekeeping enterprise can provide marketable honey and serve as a source of pollinators for nearby cultivated crops. Market options for honey include farmers markets, health food stores, restaurants, roadside stands, agritourism sites, and Kentucky-crafted stores or booths.

Interest in beekeeping has greatly increased over the past few years in Jessamine County, with numerous questions about getting started in beekeeping received at the Extension Office. In the summer of 2022, Laura Sparkman, a Jessamine County beekeeper, approached the Jessamine County ANR agent about the possibility of starting a Beekeeper Club in Jessamine County. A monthly meeting schedule and educational programming were planned, and the Jessamine County Beekeepers Club meetings were promoted through the Jessamine County Extension Agriculture Newsletter and social media sites.

The Jessamine County Beekeepers’ monthly meetings have averaged 20 participants, ranging from experienced to prospective beekeepers. Guest speakers have provided educational programming on how to get started in beekeeping, natural beekeeping, varroa mite control, and preparing hives for winter. Future educational plans include swarm trapping, marketing, and hands-on field trips. Jessamine County Beekeepers have reported implementation of several new management strategies and expressed increased confidence in their ability to be successful beekeepers.