Beginning Organic Beekeeping Begins!
The Beginning Organic Beekeeping class taught by Richard Spiegel and Jenny Bach started on Saturday, July 9, 2011, with a new crop of 17 people—all enthusiastic about learning to work with the bees. The class meets every Saturday afternoon from 1 to 5 pm in July.
Class attendees are backyard gardeners and small farmers, most of whom are interested in keeping bees for pollination of trees and vegetables. Many people on Hawai‘i Island have reported noticing a decline in macadamia nut and fruit tree production that is attributed by horticulturists to the loss of wild beehives. Wild hives have begun to decline as a result of the varroa mite bee parasite and other bee pathogens.
Jenny told the class that domesticated honeybees and hives were first brought to Hawai‘i in 1857 by the Bishop family. After a number of failed attempts, honeybees finally were cultivated in Nu‘uanu valley on Oahu.
With plenty of flowering trees and no varroa mite, beekeepers in Hawai’i have enjoyed a bee paradise for decades before the arrival of the devastating mite a few years ago. A Big Island Beekeepers Association survey found that Hawai’i Island Beekeepers have recently lost about 50% of their managed hives.
With the decline in agricultural production and more awareness about the plight of the bees, public interest in bees has skyrocketed. Attendees paid $200 each for the four-Saturday class, and also received basic bee-keeping apparel. Demand for the class was very high and there is a long waiting list for future classes.
“Bees find their beekeepers,” says Jenny.
The students had many different reasons for wanting to take the Beginning Organic Beekeeping class. Aja, a student at the University of Seattle wants to gain more farming skills and perpetuate the movement. Jim excited by beekeeping through a friend in New York. Now, living on 16 acres on Hawai’i Island he wants to integrate bees into his farm system. Ian has been interested in bees since he did a project in the 7th grade and is glad to finally be pursing an interest so long ago started.
Caroline said, “Bees… I am fascinated by bees. I am a vegetarian, so fruits and vegetables are important. Bees are a powerful medicine. I recently got to help catch a swarm and that was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. ”
Christine, a nursery manager said, “Gardening and bees just go together.”
Thanks to a grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program everyone received beginning beekeeping equipment. In the photo above, the class learns to put on their hats and veils.
Andrea Dean, MBA, of Sustainable Initiatives works with communities, businesses and non-profits on initiatives that enhance island economy, environment and community. Andrea is also the Special Projects Coordinator for the Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network, and co-coordinator of the Breadfruit Festival at Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook on September 24th. (This report is reprinted with kind permission from Volcano Island Honey Company website)