Establishing a Bee Yard at Tarleton State University

By Cade Mathis, Millheim Honey Company Founder and Owner

Introduction

At Tarleton State University, we are working on an initiative to establish a bee yard that will foster sustainability, education, and community engagement. This project, designed for students and faculty, aims to offer hands-on learning opportunities and ecological benefits.

Why a Bee Yard?

  1. Educational Opportunities
    The bee yard will provide students with practical experience in beekeeping, pollination, and sustainable farming practices.

  2. Conservation Efforts
    Bees are critical to our ecosystem, and this project supports their conservation while enhancing biodiversity.

  3. Community Engagement
    The project will include outreach programs and workshops to connect the university with the local community.

Benefits of a Bee Yard

  • Educational: Enhancing students' understanding of agriculture, environmental science, and biology.
  • Ecological: Supporting pollination, biodiversity, and food production.
  • Economic: Generating revenue through honey and other bee-related products.

Safety Considerations

  • Training: All participants will receive safety training and use protective gear.
  • Emergency Response: The yard will have designated first aid stations and trained personnel to manage potential bee sting allergies.

How It Will Work

The bee yard will be placed away from high-traffic areas, and we will ensure the best practices in hive management and site maintenance. The yard will include a mix of Langstroth and top-bar hives.

Timeline and Funding

  • Planning Phase: Site selection and design (2 months).
  • Installation: Hive setup and colony introduction (2 months).
  • Total Cost: Estimated at $3,000 for startup costs.

Support Our Effort

You can help us by contributing to this initiative through donations or attending our fundraising events. Learn more about how you can get involved.

Download the Full Proposal

Click here to download the detailed PDF proposal for establishing a bee yard at Tarleton State University.