Extension agency holds classes to educate people about beekeeping, see more on Page 11A.
"If we don't have bees we don't eat" is how Atmore Mayor Jim Staff explained the need for more people to get into beekeeping.
The Escambia County Extension Office in Brewton kicked off a series of beginner beekeeping classes in September and continue to officer those classes to not only get people interested in beekeeping, but to teach the importance of bees to the food chain.
Millie Murphree, extension coordinator, said the classes are spread out for people to learn what to do with their hives during different seasons of the year. She noted bees need food for the winter but hives also need to be inspected to make sure varolla mites don't invade the hives and kill the bees.
Murphree said the classes, held at the agricultural center in Brewton, bring in special speakers to deal with specific topics concerning beekeeping. Some of those classes included 'mite washing'. The first class was held Oct. 3 with beekeeper David Dowdy from Tuscaloosa talking about bee biology.
Brewton Master Beekeeper Billy Blair has also addressed the group on a variety of topics and in November, Greg Strickland with Urban Farm Supplies in Molino spoke about the proper equimpment needed to raise bees. Jack Rowe, an extension office specialist for beekeeping in the state of Alabama talked about where beehives need to be placed.
The extension office has four hives at its Brewton office thanks to a grant from RC&D, which partnered with the Southwest Alabama Beekeepers Association, that not only produce honey but serve as a learning tool.
"Without bees we wouldn't eat," Murphree said. "We have to have pollination."
Murphree said the goal through the beginner beekeeping classes is to establish a network of experienced beekeepers.
The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the center, located at 175 Ag Drive in Brewton and a meeting will also be held in February, but Murphree said if anyone is interested in raising bees, they can call her office at 251-867-7760.
"We want to educate people" Murphree said. "If you want to become a beekeeper or just want more information, please call."
Murphree noted Escambia County has support from surrounding counties to make sure bees are available to pollinate plants that begin the first stage of the food chain.
Mayor Staff said bees were the most beneficial thing on earth and encourages people to consider raising bees.
"No bees, no crops," Staff said. "We're in a dangerous situation now and we need more bees."
Flomaton resident John Sansom, a member of the Southwest Alabama Beekeepers Association, said he first got interested in bees when he was 12 or 13 years old.
"A swarm came to our yard in Century," Sansom said. "We caught them and kept them."
Sansom said when he went off to school he lost interest but that interest came back when he took the position as manager of the Brooks Hines Public Fishing Lake.
"There was a guy out near there, O.J. Blount, who was 85 years old, who had 65 hives," Sansom said.
Sansom said he got 15 hives from Blount and put them out at the state lake and later brought them to Flomaton, noting at one time he had 20-plus hives.
He said due to health reasons he started cutting back on raising bees but when Murphree reached out he was willing to help.
Sansom, 78, like Murmurer said it's critical to raise bees to pollinate plants that not only feed humans, but feed plants that provide food for livestock like pigs, cows and chickens.
Sansom said the majority of wild bees are dying off due to disease and it's crucial for people to raise bees.
"If we don't take care of the honey bees we have, we won't have anything to eat," Sansom said.
People interested in raising bees can call Murphree and Sansom said they are free to call him at 251-296-5795.
