Swarm

We recently hosted a beginners beekeeping workshop. Led by local expert Gary Branson, the workshop focused on low cost, creative ways to get involved in beekeeping. On display we had all the basic equipment that one needs to get the ball rolling. This equipment is made available for borrowing by our beekeepers along with assistance in construction hives all at no cost thanks to Grow Appalachia. Some of the best honey in the world can be produced in our ecologically mountains of Eastern Kentucky, due to the vast number of plant species and in particular the dense populations of trees that are the most copious nectar producers. In addition to endless supplies of high quality and diverse nectar supplies, the bee colonies here in the mountains are largely unaffected by large scale agriculture and the associated herbicide and pesticide applications that often find their way into honey produced in other areas.

Gary and David discuss the equipment needed to get started

The Appalachian Challenge Academy Cadets take an interest in beekeeping

A recent swarm that was captured