Author: Danny Adams
Planning Unit: Wayne County CES
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Wayne County hasn't had as much interest in honeybees as some surrounding counties. A few small farmers approached the Wayne County Extension Staff about getting more information regarding care for honeybees and harvesting their honey. The Wayne County Extension Staff that consists of University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University Staff held several meetings this spring concerning the care of honeybees.
Through mail and Facebook the extension office informed enthusiast about upcoming bee keeping extension meetings. Everyone was surprised about the number of people attending the meetings from established honeybee keepers to beginning enthusiast.
One thing that the new bee keepers heard about was KSU providing beginning bee kits that consist of hives and frames with bee keeping clothing. The KSU application requires the beginning bee keeper to belong to a bee association and be mentored by a established bee keeper. Since Wayne County didn't have a honey bee group the people in attendance decided on forming the Wayne County Honeybee Association.
With that happening 3 KSU beginning bee kits was provided to new bee enthusiast along with gathering information on taking care of honeybees from established bee keepers. KSU and UK professionals are providing information on bee keeping also. By having so much interest in honey bees by new bee keepers, I got funds from KSU demonstration grants to provide 10 more beginning bee kits to Wayne County honey bee keepers. A Honey Extractor Separator will also be available as a demonstration equipment for anyone needing to use it.
Honeybee's provide so much benefit for the environment as pollinators on our agriculture crops. The Wayne County Honeybee association with the care of honeybees will contribute greatly to Wayne County's farmers success, along with the community having local honey for people to have and purchase from their neighbors.
Honeybees will be a benefit for everyone!
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