Students from Washington Elementary learned about beekeeping from a local beekeeper. The project began with a presentation during the Arthropoda section of the science class. Forty students learned about the activities of the Ely Area Bee Club as well as scientific facts about bees. Participating students visited the apiary for weekly hive checks. Although the club’s hives did not produce enough honey to harvest this year, the students were taught how to harvest honey during a Save the Bees weekend course given by the Ely Folk School. Students helped sell honey at the Ely Farmers’ Market. The proceeds from the sale of the honey went towards the purchase of an electric fence for a new hive. The school’s woodworking class built four beehives, one of which will become the club’s new hive. This project was a great learning experience for students interested in science and the problems currently faced by today’s farmers and beekeepers, such as the rapid decrease of pollinators.
Thank you to Washington Elementary for sharing your organic project!
Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the CCOF Foundation’s Future Organic Farmer Grants.