Beekeeping

Knox County Beekeepers Association Kids Club

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The Knox County Beekeepers Association is looking to start a kids club.  They will be holding their informational meeting on Tuesday, March, 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramser 4-H Activity Center.  This meeting will help you and your family see how the KCBA’s Kids Club Program can help your children learn how to become successful beekeepers for a lifetime while fulfilling the 4H project requirements as outlined in publication 4-H 641. Even if you think now is not the best time for your family to get into beekeeping you’ll want to come hear about the fascinating world of honey bees.  We’ll be discussing what it takes to get into beekeeping and what the bees are really up against as they try to survive from one year to the next. We’ll also be talking about our KCBA Youth in Beekeeping Scholarship Program that helps new beekeepers with the initial costs of becoming a beekeeper.  So please come join us for an evening of enlightenment. Bring the kids. Bring lots of questions!

Flyer: 20230307 Please Join Us

2021 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition

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Sponsored by: Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees

 

2021 Essay Topic: Immunity: Threats to Bee Colonies and Methods to Defend Against the Threats

Honey bee colonies have developed many ways to stay healthy.  Their immune responses range from behaviors such as grooming to using materials such as propolis, a plant-derived substance bees coat on the interior of a hive for antimicrobial purposes.  Even the gut of the honey bee contains beneficial bacteria to help the bee stay healthy!

In your essay, name at least two threats (a parasite such as Varroa, a pathogen such as a virus, a predator such as a bear, etc.) to honey bee colonies and then discuss the methods colonies use to defend against the threats. If possible, include at least one picture you have taken from Feb. 2020-Feb. 2021 that illustrates how colonies manage to stay healthy against a variety of threats.

Eligibility:

The 2021 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition is open to active 4-H Club members only.

Any 4-H Club member who placed first, second or third in previous years of the national competition is
NOT eligible to win in 2021, however, state competition winners remain eligible to enter the national competition. Entered essays must encompass the designated topic only. There will be no exceptions.

Competition Rules & Essay Requirements:

Any 4-H Club member interested in writing an essay should contact their local 4-H office for competition details. The state selection process must be completed through the 4-H system.

Failure to meet any one of the essay requirements will result in disqualification.

  • Essay requirements for national judging:
    • Essay must be typewritten or computer-generated on single-sided pages and formatted following standard manuscript format using double-spaced type and 12pt font in legible font face.
    • Essay must encompass the designated topic in 750 to 1,000 words. Word count does not include sources, works cited or the writer’s biographical statement.
    • All factual statements and interview references must be cited in a “sources” or “bibliography” list.
    • Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research, 40%; (b) accuracy, 30%; (c) creativity, 10%;
      (d) conciseness, 10%; and (e) logical development of the topic, 10%.
    • On a separate page, please include a brief biographical statement of the writer including mailing address, email address and phone number.
  • Each state may submit only ONE entry.
  • Deadline for national submission: April 15, 2021
  • National winners will be announced: June 15, 2021

National competition entries may be submitted for judging via mail to the address listed below or email to . Use “4-H Essay Entry from <State>” as the subject line.

Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees

500 Discovery Parkway, Suite 125

Superior, Colorado 80027

Decisions made by the trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees during national judging are final. All national competition entries become the property of the foundation and may be used as it sees fit. No essays will be returned.

Awards:

Three cash prizes will be awarded in the 2021 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition. The author of the highest scoring essay will win first prize. The author of the second-highest scoring essay will win second prize. The author of the third-highest scoring essay will win third prize.

  • First Prize: $750
  • Second Prize: $500
  • Third Prize: $250

The three prize-winning essays will be published in ABF Quarterly, the magazine of the American Beekeeping Federation. All authors of essays submitted to the national competition will receive a relevant book on honey bees, beekeeping or honey.

2020 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition

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2020 Essay Topic: Overwintering: Bee Survival through the Cold Season

Honey bees have developed special skills to overwinter in the United States. Please discuss one of these skills and then include a discussion about what you do to prepare your hives for winter. Include a photo of one of your hives, either using infrared technology or showing winter wrap, hay bales, special feeders, etc. to demonstrate how you prepare your hives for winter.

Submission Deadline: April 1, 2020

Please visit http://preservationofhoneybees.org/essays/2020-essays for the full details.

Call for entries: http://preservationofhoneybees.org/images/2020_4-H_Beekeeping_Essay_Competition_Call_for_Entries.pdf

From: Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees

Contact: Molly Sausaman, Executive Director, 404-760-2875, msausaman@abfnet.org

The Ohio State Beekeepers Association renews the 4-H Partnership Program for 2018

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After a successful inaugural 2015 OSBA 4-H Partnership program, Ohio State Beekeepers Association has renewed and refreshed the program for the 2018 beekeeping and 4-H season. For 2018, OSBA will selectively sponsor five 4-H members across Ohio by providing the basic woodenware and toolkits to establish 2 complete hives.

By partnering OSBA, Extension 4-H staff, and local beekeeping organizations with the 4-H members undertaking the beekeeping project, the program supports and encourages young beekeepers by providing experienced practical support and reducing the expenses required to get started in beekeeping. Ideally, active participation of key players, including the student, his/her guardian, 4-H advisor, local association and a mentor will significantly increase the likelihood of success of the 4-H beekeeper through experiential learning.  Local beekeeping associations who participate gain visibility to a new and vital audience and increase positive community involvement of the “next generation” of beekeepers.

While the attached document explains the program guidelines in detail, here is a quick overview

Selection Criteria

  1. Youth must be between the ages of 12 and 18 by January 1st of the scholarship year, be a member of 4-H, and enrolled in public, private or home school.
  2. Applicant must complete and return the application by November 21, 2017.

Selection Process

  1. The selection committee will carefully consider each candidate and select finalists.
  2. The OSBA 4H Beekeeping Partnership Program Scholars will be announced by January 6, 2018

The selected Partnership Program Scholars will receive:

  1. Woodenware  and tools for two hives (see attached document):1 year free membership to OSBA, with electronic newsletter
  2. Free attendance to the OSBA Fall Convention (including 2 guests).
  3. OSBA Beekeeper Training DVD
  4. OSBA Apiary Diagnostic Kit

 The Sponsoring Local Association will be expected to:

  1. Provide membership and mentorship
  2. Provide beginner beekeeping training
  3. Help find a source for purchasing bees

The Partnership Program Scholar will be expected to:

  1. Provide bees for the two colonies
  2. Attend and successfully complete the agreed upon Beginning Beekeeping Classes.
  3. Keep a written record of the 2018 beekeeping experience.
  4. Provide a quarterly update for the OSBA newsletter
  5. Present a final report to the membership at the OSBA Annual Meeting on November 3, 2018.

A Certificate of Completion and full ownership of the colony and the equipment will be presented at the OSBA Annual Meeting upon successful completion of the program criteria and positive evaluation by sponsoring association.

For additional information, questions or comments see the OSBA website at www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org or contact us at 4h@ohiostatebeekeepers.org or call 567-703-6722.

OSBA looks forward to working with 4-H and local beekeeping associations to help nurture our next generation of beekeepers.

Sincerely,

OSBA 4-H Partnership Committee

– Andrea