WVU Jackson's Mill is partnering with local volunteers to create the Apiary at the Mill, to teach youth and adults about beekeeping. The focus of the Apiary at the Mill is to cultivate the future of the beekeeping trade through an apiary on the property.
The apiary will be used to demonstrate beekeeping to new and existing beekeepers and to educate the general population on the importance of honeybees. Access is available to use the hives for hands on demonstrations and the cabin is used for workshops on extracting honey and how to use products from the hive. There are currently three hives on site. The plan is to expand to an outyard on the grounds for more hives to allow for larger groups during training sessions.
Located at the Bill Freyler Artisan Cabin at WVU Jackson's Mill, the cabin is currently used as a training room and demonstration area. Classes are held inside the cabin before suiting up in protective equipment and heading to the hives for hands on training. The cabin is also used to store all the equipment, which includes many varying sizes of bee protective equipment that can be used by any participants.
Local volunteers maintain the hives, cabin and landscape at the Apiary at the Mill. The Mountaineer Beekeepers Association teach beginner beekeeping classes for youth and adults to attend. The Women Beekeepers of West Virginia have provided support in volunteers for training, labor and special events. During summer camps held at Jackson's Mill, 4-H'ers can learn about beekeeping and experience the Apiary at the Mill through beekeeping classes. A 4-H project book on beekeeping is also available for 4-H'ers to complete.
Summer 2023 was the first summer for the Apiary at the Mill. Dave Snively, director of WVU Jackson's Mill, and Jason Burnside, 4-H camping specialist, helped to make the idea of the Apiary at the Mill a reality. During the planning and building phase of the Apiary at the Mill, Michael Shamblin, WVU Extension agent in Clay County, helped to build hive sites, cabin maintenance and a pollinator garden.
Bearsville Bees, located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, are instrumental in fostering the growth of youth education in beekeeping. They pledged to supply the Apiary at the Mill with all the woodenware required to maintain the program.
To stay informed about the Apiary at the Mill, follow Apiary at the Mill on Facebook or email apiaryatthemill@gmail.com.