The Buzz Is Back in 4-H Beekeeping

Earn Your 4-H Beekeeping Certificate

How do honey bees make honey? Why do honey bees swarm? How can a drone bee have a grandfather and no father?

If you’d like to learn the answers to these questions and a lot more, the 4-H Beekeeping Certificate program may be for you.. You’ll learn valuable information in how to get started in beekeeping from the experts.

There has been a dramatic decline in the number of beehives and beekeepers across the country in recent years due to an introduced mite enemy of the honey bee. There is now an upswing of interest in managing this fascinating creature. Honey bees are essential pollinators for many of our agricultural crops such as cucumbers, watermelons and strawberries. Beekeeping is a hobby that sometimes pays for itself with hive rentals, wax products and honey (if you can resist eating it all).

Four-H, the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, and the NCSU Department of Entomology have developed this program where youth can learn alongside real beekeepers. After several meetings of educational programs, 4-H’ers will take a written test showing what they have learned. Upon successful completion of the test, they will receive their 4-H Beekeeping certificate. Those wishing to team up with an adult beekeeper may choose to safely examine a working hive and take the NC Beekeepers Association practical test to become a fully NC Certified Beekeeper.

Opportunities and program schedules will vary among the counties, and not all counties have participating beekeeper association chapters.

For more information contact your local county 4-H agent and look for the next NC Beekeeper training session in your area. There is no age limit for the written exam, however, the material is probably best suited for 12 years old and above.