Youth Hive Graduate Adam “Big Guns” Mote painting the hive he received from the Scholarship Program.
Graduate Isaak Adae and his father installing the package of bees
The Brown County Beekeepers Association is proud to continue the Youth Hive Program designed to engage the next generation of Apiarists. Started in 2019, we pick two young individuals and award them with their first hive. Our club mentors assist each student with setting up their hives and placing their first package of bees into those hives, providing a true first step into the world of Beekeeping. A tradition that has been traced back to the time of Egyptians.
So how can you give your youngster the chance at being selected to receive a hive to start beekeeping? First we have a few guidelines.
In an effort to educate the next generation of beekeepers, the Brown County Beekeepers Association annually awards beehive scholarships to youths interested in beekeeping. To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Youth must be between the ages of 12 and 18 by January 1st.
- Must be a resident of Brown County or an adjoining county.
- The applicant must currently be enrolled in public, private, or home school and be in grades 7 through 12.
- The applicant must have permission and agreement from parent or guardian.
Once completed, the application can be sent electronically to: contact.us.bcba@gmail.com.
All applications are due by the end of the February meeting of the Brown County Beekeepers Association, February 11, 2025. The finalists will be selected and notified prior to the March bee club meeting. Selected applicants will receive all the equipment, tools, and bees needed to establish a beehive. Applicants will be required to provide their own personal protective equipment (suit, gloves, etc).
All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the January 14, 2025, program on “An Introduction to Beekeeping”. The program will at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of Western Brown High School. The Community Room is located on the northwest side of the school across from the tennis courts. In this presentation the equipment, tools and procedures required to get started in beekeeping will be covered. Applications for the scholarships will be available and completed applications can be dropped off at this time.
We strongly encourage you to read the submission form in its entirety for additional guidelines, requirements and tips on being one of the select few to be given a free beehive and bees.
