West Fork student to become beekeeper

Collin Witte, of Rockwell, has been awarded a beekeeping scholarship from the Iowa Honey Producers Association.

Soon Witte will receive his beekeeping equipment and begin to assemble his hive. The items he will be granted include: a beehive, beekeeping equipment, honeybees, a mentor and beekeeping classes. In late April, Witte will get the honeybees and place them into his hive with the help of his mentor.

Throughout the spring and summer, he will check on his honeybees to monitor their progress and watch for anything that would be harmful to the honeybees. In the fall there may be some honey to harvest, however the goal for the first year of a new hive is to get it through its first Iowa winter. Winter preparation and pest management typically happens in mid to late fall.

The Iowa Honey Producers Association Youth Scholarship Program is designed to bring young people into the wonderful world of beekeeping.