Beekeeping Essay Contest

The topic for the 2008 4-H Essay Contest sponsored by the American Beekeeping Federation, Inc. is "The Results of Honey Bee Pollination in My Community."  The results of honey bee pollination are many and varied.  Essayists are encouraged to become familiar with these pollination activities and, then, survey their communities to see what examples they can find.  Some of these will be obvious, i.e., apples on sale at the supermarket.  Others may be less obvious, i.e., milk from cows that are fed alfalfa hay with honey bees used to pollinate the original seed from which the alfalfa is grown.

Essayists should not overlook the benefit to farmers who are able to produce more or higher value crops as a result of pollination nor the benefits to the local population from the varied diet to which honey bee pollination contributes.

Each state may select one essay to enter in the national contest.  Cash awards of $250, $100 and $50 will be given to the top three winners in the nation.  Each state winner receives an appropriate book about honey bees, beekeeping or honey.

Click here for 2008 4-H ESSAY CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT AND RULES