Success StoryBeekeeping Continues Growth



Beekeeping Continues Growth

Author: Keith Hackworth

Planning Unit: Floyd County CES

Major Program: Beekeeping

Plan of Work: Agricultural Education and Production

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Extension continues to support the Floyd County Beekeepers Association by offering programming, guidance, and assistance while promoting their efforts. The county continues to have increased interest in beekeeping and trying to preserve this tradition. Since the association officially formed four years ago, their membership has grown to sixty individuals with attendance at some of their monthly meetings reaching more than forty. Topics covered at their meetings have been basic beekeeping skills, making honey, queen rearing, hive diseases, insect problems, wildlife damage, making equipment, and uses of bee wax. These educational programs are provided by Extension, leaders, and other related organizations. Hives are used for hands-on training for new and beginning beekeepers. Their annual meeting event held in February was co-sponsored by the County Extension Service and the association. The association provided twenty-five nucs to members that attended a certain number of meeting and reached participation goals as set by their by-laws. The bees were paid by fundraising efforts of their members. This program is responsible for bringing several new hives of bees in the county and keeping beekeepers involved in the association. At the end of the programs, participants are asked to evaluate the programs. The overall rating was a ninety-three percent positive with the participants stating that seventy-five percent gained new knowledge. Nearly sixty percent of the participants have increased their hive numbers within the last year. There continues to be an increase in the interest in beekeeping in the county and these numbers involved are expected to keep rising. One of the best outcomes is that experienced beekeepers are mentoring new beekeepers or those interested in becoming beekeepers. They are educating their own with hands-on involvement.






Stories by Keith Hackworth


Grow Appalachia Gardening Series

about 6 years ago by Keith Hackworth

At the direction of our leadership, Extension has been collaborating with several community groups o... Read More


Farmers Market

about 6 years ago by Keith Hackworth

Directed by the needs assessment from our leadership, Extension has been involved with home gardener... Read More


Stories by Floyd County CES


Wellness in East Kentucky

about 6 years ago by Andrea Slone

The Floyd County Family & Consumer Science Agent was approached by the school staff at Floyd County ... Read More


Floyd County Extension Homemakers Growing Leadership

about 6 years ago by Andrea Slone

In summer 2017 a Floyd County Extension Program leader with the support of the Family & Consumer Sci... Read More