Junior Beekeeper Program – Benton County Beekeepers Association

The Benton County Beekeepers are devoted to improving the health and lives of honey bees in Northwest Arkansas through training, educating, and mentoring new beekeepers. With this in mind, we are excited to introduce the Benton County Junior Beekeeper Program, open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 18. This program is only for teens who are serious about learning to excel in the world of beekeeping. The work and effort devoted to this program will more than pay for itself in the end. Not only will you be a prepared and accomplished beekeeper with a full year of experience, but you will also be provided with everything you need to start the first hive in your own backyard. Below are the program requirements as well as the benefits and rewards. If you are ready to get started, fill out the information below and provide everything required for consideration for the program. Note: Only three applicants will be chosen for each year's program.

Program Requirements

Complete the form below with all your information.
Submit a one-page essay explaining why you want to be a beekeeper. Attach the file in the form below in PDF, DOCX, or DOC format.
Attend 10 of the Benton County Beekeepers, monthly meetings during the one year program. Meetings are on the first Thursday of every month. You can find the current meeting location here.
Schedule and complete an interview with one or more of the Benton County Beekeeper officers to be held with you and your parents/guardian.
Give an oral presentation over anything you have learned related to bees or beekeeping to the Benton County Beekeepers club at one of the monthly meetings at the end of the one-year program.
Provide your own personal protective equipment (ex. suit, veil, gloves, etc). We will help you find one that fits your needs and budget.
Applications must be received by December 1 to be considered for the following year’s program, beginning on January 1.

Program Rewards

Free membership to the Benton County Beekeepers for two years ($32 value). This covers the year of the program as well as the following year to give you the additional support you need as a beginner beekeeper.
Access to all Benton County Beekeepers classes, meetings, field days, and other activities during the one-year program.
You will be paired with a beekeeper mentor who will walk with you each step of the way. This will include practical, hands-on experience as you work alongside your mentor in his/her own beehives. Your mentor will be available to you throughout the entire year-long program.
After you have completed all the program requirements listed above, the Benton County Beekeepers will provide you with your first, complete beehive including bottom board, entrance reducer, four medium hive boxes, forty medium frames, inner cover, and outer cover. ($325+ value) *
Once all program requirements are completed, the Benton County Beekeepers will also purchase your first nucleus colony of bees (an established five-frame hive of bees with a mated queen. ($175+ value) *

* If you already have a hive and bees, or if you purchase your own hive and bees during the one-year program, and you choose to not accept the hive and bees offered, the Benton County Beekeepers will work with you to see what equipment or tools you need when you have completed the program.

Name (required)

Age (required)

Address

Phone number

Parent name

Parent phone number

Parent Email

School you attend

Do you have transportation

Attach your one page essay

I understand that beekeeping comes with certain dangers such as bee stings, and I agree that the Benton County Beekeepers, including your mentor, are not responsible for any physical harm that may take place due to stings or other beekeeping related injuries. I understand that it is my responsibility to remain in good standing with the Benton County Junior Beekeeper program requirements, and that I must complete all of the program requirements in order to receive all of the rewards.

All applications must be received by December 1st in order to qualify for the following year's program. Any applications received after this date will be held and applied to a future program. Notification will be made to the three accepted applicants on or before December 15th.