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Goodman Youth FarmBenefits of beesSafety at the hiveInvolving studentsEntrepreneurship with beesHive managementEquipment & costQuestions
Webinar Outline
Goodman Youth Farm: Background
Half acre of vegetablesOutdoor kitchen areaCommunity gardensSmall orchardSmall restored prairieBeehives
Land: 3 acres
Madison school districtGoodman Community CenterGoodman Foundation: funding
Partners
Single visit field tripsSchools After school programsCommunity groups
Recurring programsGarden Fit: middle schoolSeed to Table: high schoolGrow Academy: juvenile corrections
April to October, 2014:3,300 duplicated visits
Programs
LocationNext to prairieIn sight of gardens and orchard
One (or two) hivesDepends on success of prior year
Hive namesBev and Bevita
Beehives
Benefits of bees for students
Insect life cyclesInsect behavior Insect anatomyWinter survivalPollination Environmental issues
Hands-on biology
“I don’t usually like bees, but I like them on the farm!”
“I was scared of the bees, but I went over to them anyway. I’m proud of myself.”
“Now that I know the bees, I never want to leave them. This is the calmest I’ve ever been in my life. I have to tell my mom!”
Confronting fear
Creating calm
Safety at the hive
Large group (10+)Observe hive from a distanceLine with flags or string (30-40 ft)Discuss role of bees in gardenWhat to do if you see a bee!
Small group (1-10)May visit hive up closeRequires gear and instructions5 students ideal for hands-on
Group Size
HelmetsGlovesPants tucked into socksClose toed shoesBee suit, or…Large collared dress shirtBaggy “scrub” pantsRubber bands for wrists
Check student gear before approaching the hive.
Protective gear
AllergiesMajor: Epi-Pen Minor: Anti-itch cream, sting-relief
Anticipate student behaviorDiscuss the experience in advancePlace students strategicallyAllow students an “out”
Know your students
Stay calmBees will respond to your emotions
Move slowlyHow do you react when surprised?
Mentally prepare for stingsBees don’t “want” to stingThey sting only if threatenedHow the smoker will helpDescribe what it feels likeDescribe what to do: walk away.
Behavior instruction
Students choose their distance and level of involvement.
Zone 1: Ten foot arcHave all students start here.
Zone 2: Next to hiveWatch, but don’t touch.
Zone 3: Assist with tasksInvite students to help you, or do a task on their own. Start small!
Remind students: you can always walk away.
Comfort zones
Involving Students
All groups:Observation & questionsDiscuss importance of beesDiscuss threats to bees
Larger groups:Demonstration by beekeeperTry on beekeeper outfit (K-3)Honey extraction (Late summer)
Smaller groups:Hands-on at the hive – activities depend on behavior and comfort level of group
One-time visits
Small groups are best
Progressive hive tasks:Stand next to hiveUse smokerLook for eggs Hold a frameHelp lift a boxUse hive toolHoney harvest (brush bees)Teach others
Away from the hive:Planning for bees, recordkeepingBee productsBee-related cookingDiscuss pollinator threats, etc.
Recurring visits
Observing the hive Using the smoker Holding a frame
Lifting a box (use partners) Using the hive tool Getting comfortable with bees!
JanuaryOrder package bees
AprilInstall package bees
May-AugustWeekly inspectionsswarm preventionsplit hive as necessary
AugustHoney harvest (if applicable)
SeptemberMite treatment
October-November Winterization
Note: may differ by climate!
The beekeeping year
Entrepreneurship with bees
Student involvementUncappingExtractingBottling & filteringLabel makingSelling…and tasting!
Cost and profitInput cost: <$1/bottleSale price: $7-$10/bottle
Honey
Uncapping
Cost and profitInputs: Bottles, labelsNet profit: $7-$9/bottle
Student involvementExtractionBottlingLabel makingSelling
Extracting
Filtering
Cost and profitInputs: Bottles, labelsNet profit: $7-$9/bottle
Student involvementExtractionBottlingLabel makingSelling
Honey
Bottling
Cost and profitInputs: Bottles, labelsNet profit: $7-$9/bottle
Student involvementExtractionBottlingLabel makingSelling
Honey
Label Making
Student involvementCollecting wax – 2 waysRendering waxChopping and melting waxFilling containersMaking labelsSelling
Cost and profitInput cost: $1 per tinSale price: $3-$5 per tin
Lip Balm
Discussion TopicsHow and why bees make waxOther beeswax productsHealth benefits of beeswaxInput costs, sale price, and net profit
Lip Balm Ingredients Chopped beeswaxOlive oilHoneyVitamin E capsulesEssential oils (optional)
Hive Management
Lead beekeeper Assistant or internBee advisor
Or, partner with a local beekeeper to manage the hive on your property.
Your Bee Team
ClassesBooksLocal beekeeping associationApprentice with beekeeper
Learning from scratch
http://www.littlehouseonthebighill.com/beekeeping/images/inspectionsheets/hiveinspection20130827.pdf
Record KeepingFill out one hive record sheet after each visit to the hive.
Make notes about what to do next week.
Before each hive inspection, look at your last record so you know what to do.
http://www.littlehouseonthebighill.com/beekeeping/images/inspectionsheets/hiveinspection20130827.pdf
Record KeepingMake a visual map of the hive: what you observed and what you did.
Equipment and Costs
Boxes (7-10 for full hive) Frames (10 per box) Inner Cover
Outer Cover Bottom Board Queen excluder
Hive set up
Hive set-upBrood chamber: 1-3 deep boxes or 2-4 medium boxesHoney supers: 0-4 medium boxes
Smoker (and fuel) Brushes
Spacer (optional) Feeder bucket Cinder blocks
Hive tools (2-3)
Beekeeping tools
Package bees (3lb)
Insulated cover Entrance reducer
Mouse protectionTar paper
Winterization
Mite treatment (early fall)
Items Approximate Cost
Hive set up (one hive, assembled) $400
Beekeeping tools $80
Protective gear (5 sets, low cost) $200
Extraction equipment Borrow (free)
Winterization $55
Package Bees $100
TOTAL COST $835
Initial costs
GrantsEquipment donation
Partnership with beekeeper
Covering costs
Student interview on community radio station, after a summer with the bees: http://www.wortfm.org/goodman-youth-farm/
Confidence
LeadershipVideo: Middle school students show visiting kindergarteners the bees. One student wants to tell the president.
