Steve Neff, owner and operator of Freedom Hills Farm will be offering a new beekeeper class which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 7th and will run through February 11th.
“So many folks asked me this past summer at the Farmers’ Market how they could get started beekeeping”, Neff explained. “It became clear that people are curious and are looking for a way to do their bit to support the environment as well as being rewarded with a sweet treat at the end of the summer”.
He went on to say that the weekly two hour classes will be held at the Plymouth Public Library on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 P.M. Topics include: An introduction to the Art of Beekeeping, Bee Equipment and How to Use It, Seasonal Colony Management, Pests-Parasites-Pathogens in the Hive, Beekeeping as a Sideline Business, and Let’s Get Started!
Neff said, “Beekeeping has changed so much in the last 20 years that simply relying on the wisdom of old timers isn’t enough for a new beekeeper to be successful in this business. But when done right and when Mother Nature cooperates even a little bit, this can be a truly rejuvenating hobby.” He continued, “We have a chance to be a part of an agricultural revolution here in Indiana. Around 75 years ago the upper Midwest was the primary supplier of honey bees across the country. But as beekeeping challenges were overcome in the South, their stocks and genetic strains began to dominate the market. That changed with two events. The incursion of Africanized bees and the outbreak of new diseases seriously weakening southern breeds and casting doubt on the safety of using these lines in the North.”
Neff said the shift is on. “We are relearning how to raise winter hardy breeds in the north. Queen-rearing clubs are springing up everywhere. Survivor genetics are being identified and new strategies are being tried. ” He continued, “Hobbyists will be as important to this movement as commercial beekeepers.”
Neff said he hoped to generate interest in hobby beekeeping in Marshall County. He is also working at the State level to implement a Master Beekeeper Program similar to programs in other states. Anyone interested in enrolling in the class or simply would like more information, he can be reached at :574-586-7479.
