NJ Agriculture Department Offers $300 In Free Equipment, Lessons To Anyone Interested In Beekeeping

[hatrack]

The state Department of Agriculture WANTS YOU! To become a beekeeper.

In an effort to promote a dwindling pursuit, the department is making bee-keeping lessons and $300 worth of gear available to anyone over the age of 10 who's willing to give it a try. The department's interest goes beyond a taste for honey.

"Honeybees are vital to New Jersey's fruit and vegetable industry through their pollination of crops," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus. "With continuing threats to our honeybee population, we hope this cooperative venture will result in more beekeepers to help sustain the fruit and vegetable farmers who depend on honeybees to pollinate their crops."

The 2008 "Bee-ginner's Beekeeping" course will be held April 10-12 at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Mansfield.

The first 50 people who sign up and complete the course will be able to purchase up to $300 worth of beekeeping equipment and bees from registered New Jersey bee supply dealers.

EDIT

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/NEWS01/803100339/1006/NEWS01

[Mojorabbit]

1. I only have one hive

and am an amateur but here is a sample of my latest batch of honey from last week.

[AlecBGreen]

2. too bad VA doesnt offer this

Im in the middle of taking classes right now. $100 for the course and $600-800 in startup costs.

[fed-up]

3. kicking/rec "for the bees" nt