#BeecomingaBeekeeper

The world’s food supply comes mainly from 100 crops, 73 of which rely on honeybees for pollination, as stated by the United Nations Environment Program. Bee Keepers are tasked with managing the hives to ensure the success of crops, but face many challenges of successfully sustaining healthy colonies.          

In 2012, The Pendleton County Agriculture & Natural Resource Extension Agent, received her first phone call of a new bee keeper looking to utilize a honey extractor. Through outreach and connecting the beekeeper to local resources, the client has expanded from 1 to 7 hives. Also, taking active leadership roles within the County Agriculture Program Council; Northern Kentucky Beekeepers Association, where she served as president; and teaching youth at various extension programming about the importance of bees. 

Over the course of four years community outreach on pollinator education from Extension and the beekeeper, a strong community interest in beekeeping educational classes developed. Local beekeepers were struggling with hive management, colony collapse, swarming, etc. In response, the Pendleton County ANR Agent, developed a ten month series of educational programming to walk beekeepers through a year in the hive. The first meeting brought in 56 local beekeepers/hopeful beekeepers, of which 25% were first time extension users. 

Through the process of informative classes, demonstrations, panels, and mentorship a network of local beekeepers has been established. Topics including: So You Think You Wanna be a Beekeeper; Hive Installation; Feeding the Hive; Constructing the Hive; Honeybee Citizenry; Disease Management; Honey Harvesting; etc. were presented. As a result of diverse program methods, participants forged relationships, exchanged knowledge, honed hive management skills. The network of beekeepers has additionally initiated an ad-hock shared-use equipment program, saving beekeepers an average of $650 per annum. 22% of beekeepers reported an increased rate of hive survival and 6% reported an increase in honey production.