By Martha Jacob
The Brown County Beekeepers Association has recently launched a new ‘Hive Donation’ program for young beekeepers interested in learning more about beekeeping and helping pollinators in the future.
Newly elected president of the BC Beekeepers Association, Keith MacMillan, said his association is excited to launch this new initiative to help young people get involved in beekeeping.
The new program is called the Brown County Beekeeper Association Youth Hive Donation Program.
“We will be selecting two eligible applicants who will each be provided with the equipment necessary to become a beekeeper,” MacMillan said. “Each of these kids will be between the ages of 12 and 18 (by Jan. 1, 2019).
“The applicants must also be a member of 4H, FFA, Scouts or another local environmental group.”
According to MacMillan the newly formed Youth Hive Donation Program was created to support and encourage young beekeepers by providing experienced practical support and reducing the expenses required to get started in beekeeping.
The new program hopes to provide an opportunity for youth to experience responsibility and enjoyment through beekeeping and to gain visibility to a new and vital audience and increase positive community involvement of the next generation of beekeepers.
“We want to make sure it’s understood that the applicants must have parental consent to take part in this program,” MacMillan said. “The applications have to be back to our association by our next meeting in February, on the second Tuesday, the 12th. The two lucky applicants chosen will be recognized at the March 12.”
The Brown County Beekeepers Association meets at Western Brown High School on every second Tuesday of each month (excluding December and January).
Visit the association at www.browncountybeekeepersassociation.org or visit it on Facebook. Please call (513) 515-6778.