Beekeeping program offered by Penn State Extension through 4-H | Kulick

“Isn’t it funny, how a bear likes honey. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! I wonder why he does?” so wonders that famous bear, Winnie the Pooh. Perhaps the answer is partially provided by the Bee Conservancy who reminds us that one in three bites of food is pollinated by bees. A great opportunity is ahead for those ages 8 to 18 (as of Jan. 1) as the Monroe County 4-H community begins its Beekeeping Club on May 18.

Bees are at the heart of our survival. Not only does the pollination they do provide a good portion of the food we eat, but they also pollinate 80 percent of the world’s flowering plants. Bees are an essential part of our agriculture, pollinating many fruits, nuts and vegetables. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, more than half of North America’s 4,000 native bee species are in decline. And beyond that, one in four are at risk of extinction. The loss of the honeybee would directly impact food security around the world.

This 4-H Club will meet at the Middle Smithfield Township Community Gardens Park located on Coolbaugh Road in Middle Smithfield Township. Those joining the group will learn about bees and how they produce their honey and wax, as well as what kind of plants attract bees and what equipment a beekeeper needs. Also, important information such as what kind of pests or diseases can affect a beehive.

The first meeting is on Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. There will be an introduction to 4-H and checking on the bees. Future meetings will be held on June 8, July 20, Aug. 10, Sept. 8 and Oct. 5. The cost is $20 for current 4-H members (includes club T-shirt) and $50 for new members (this includes the annual 4-H enrollment fee and club T-shirt).

For those participating it is important for safety purposes that proper clothing is worn. Participants should wear long, loose-fitting pants (no leggings or shorts), closed-toed shoes (no Crocs or sandals) and definitely tall socks!

Penn State Extension offers this program through 4-H. The Penn State Extension is an extension of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. There is an Extension office in every county of the Commonwealth.

For those unfamiliar with 4-H and how it may be a great organization for those ages of 8 to 18, here’s a bit of information about this great organization. Originating in the early 1900s as “four-square education,” the four Hs (head-heart-hands-health) seek to promote positive youth development, facilitate learning and engage youth in the work of their community through the Cooperative Extension Service to enhance the quality of life.

The 4-H flag consists of a green, four-leaf, stemmed clover on a white background. The clover has a letter “H” in the with or metallic gold on each leaf. The Hs stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

Explained further, HEAD: problem solving and the ability to sort out complex problems. HEART: focused on emotional development and developing good attitudes toward work and learning as well as developing acceptance and appreciation of other people. HANDS: Skills development and the ability to do, skill in doing, and habit of doing. And finally HEALTH: Physical development and understanding and appreciating a growing and changing body.

Perhaps the 4-H Pledge sums it up best: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.”

4-H clubs offer a variety of programs. History has shown that 4-H members are four times more likely to give back to their communities, are two times more likely to make healthy choices and are two times more likely to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities.

For more information about 4-H contact: Penn State Extension-Monroe County 4-H, 724 Phillips St., Suite 201, Stroudsburg. Phone: 570-421-7010. Email: MonroeExt@psu.edu . For more information about 4-H Beekeeping, contact mstcgbeekeeping4h@gmail.com.

Debbie Kulick is an EMT who writes a weekly news column for the Pocono Record.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Beekeeping program offered by Penn State Extension through 4-H | Kulick