The Perry County Beekeepers Association was like all Beekeeping and other Associations I suspect and not able to meet in-person since the winter of 2020. But with the introduction of the COVID vaccine, declining COVID case numbers and the state beginning to allow in-person events, the Perry County Beekeepers Association along with the Perry County Cooperative Extension Service decided to celebrate the getting back to normal by hosting a Beekeeping Field Day.

     More than 30 people attended this one day event which was a hands-on learning event. Participants actually got to get up close and personal with the bees in their home, the hive.

     The Field Day was geared toward beginners and the very young beekeeping enthusiasts. We had participants as young as 8 years old who suited up to learn about beekeeping.

     Local, expert beekeepers and the Perry County Extension Service ANR Agent, provided the education activities. These learning activities included, how to get started in beekeeping, where to get bees, beekeeping equipment, protective equipment, life cycle of the honeybee, types of honeybees in the hive and how to assemble a hive. There was also sessions on how to find the queen in the hive and how to tell if the queen is a good by her laying pattern. Other topics taught were, how to requeen a hive, mite and other pest control and how to recognize if the hive has a disease problem. There was even a session taught by the Perry County Extension ANR Agent on how to properly light a smoker. A lesson close to his heart since he set his bee suite on fire trying to light his smoker early on in the season.

     Lots of door prizes were given out that were donated by local beekeepers and beekeeping supply companies. Three of attendees who wanted to get started in beekeeping won a complete hive including the bees. Valued at over $350 each.  All totaling more than $2500 in door prizes were given away.

     At the end of the Field Day, evaluations were completed. Results showed 70% in attendance were beginners or hadn’t started keeping bees but planned to. 100% percent said they gained knowledge about beekeeping. 95% of the beginners stated they planned to join the Perry County Beekeepers Association. 100% of the participants requested that this Field Day be repeated again this year or at least have one every year.