Beehive of Activity

Big South Fork Beekeepers stay “buzz-y” in the community

Members of the Big South Fork Beekeepers stay “busy as bees” not only with their own beekeeping but with educating the public about the importance of bees.  As part of the McCreary County Farmers’ Market celebration of Honey Bee Day, members James Foster and Doris June Williams recently provided fresh honey, demonstrations, and information about beekeeping to curious market shoppers.

These local beekeepers are performing a valuable service to their community in supporting community beekeeping.  The importance of honeybees to the survival of humankind cannot be overemphasized.

Nationwide attention has been drawn to the plight of honeybees.  Honeybees in the U.S. have been disappearing at an alarming rate.  Their disappearance is attributed to colony collapse disease, a loose term for the dying off of bees due to unknown causes.  Factors such as stress, pathogens, parasites, and pesticides are suspected as possible causes of colony collapse disease.

By supporting existing and new colonies of bees within the community, the Big South Fork Beekeepers are not only providing excellent local honey but they are attempting to maintain population levels and pollination needs during a critical time for honeybee survival.

In addition to beekeeping, the Big South Fork Beekeepers are active in the community.  They host many educational events, volunteer for trash pick-up, and participate in the annual Heritage Trail Days parade.

The Big South Fork Beekeepers meet on the second Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the McCreary County Extension Center.