STURGIS, SD – Bees are kind of important. Three out of four crops across the globe producing fruits or seeds for human as food, depend, at least in part, on bees.
North Dakota leads the nation in honey production, and together with Montana and South Dakota produce nearly half of all U.S. honey.
You can find out more about honeybees during the Meade County Fair/4-H Achievement Day July 29-30 by taking in the Bee Happy Too 4-H Club’s educational exhibit located in the Sturgis Brown High School Gym.
Beekeeper Allen Godsell is leading the club with help from Jenny Voigt, Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor, Administrative Leader Clea Brott and parent volunteers. Club members are learning how to care for the bees throughout the bee’s life cycle and their hives’ annual cycle.
The club currently has 10 members with eight beehives spread across four families and one club apiary — a place where bees are kept. The club apiary is where members can do hands-on learning under Godsell’s guidance.
Supporting the club’s efforts is the WannaBee Beekeeping Club in Rapid City, led by Bill and Joan Clements of Dakota Honey & Bee Supply. The club donates beehive boxes and provides scholarships to 4-H members interested in learning and about and raising bees.
