Beekeeping Project

4-H Registration is Open

Start by picking a 4-H Club. Learn more about how to choose your club. 

Bees fly around a hive

  • Have you wanted to explore the habitats of bees? 
  • Do you wonder which plants bees like to pollinate? 
  • Do you want to know how bees make honey? 

Then the 4-H Beekeeping project is right up your alley. You will learn about the world of bees and have fun doing it.

 

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  • You will need to attend the beekeeping project workshops.
  • We prefer that members have their own full bee suit for hive work.
  • If you want to raise your own hive, you will need to order a bee package (if needed) by April.
  • If you raise a hive and choose to sell the honey, you will need additional licenses (such as a sales tax license and/or Cottage Foods License).

Manuals are available on the Colorado 4-H Website

4-H E-Records were previously known as Record Books. Each project has its own E-Record book that members are required to complete each year. We recommend downloading and starting your record book right away. All record books should be kept in a 3-ring binder. The front cover should have the 4-H'ers name, unit number, and project.  

Need help filling out your E-Record? Talk to your club leader, project leader, or visit our E-Record help page.

If you participate in the Larimer County Fair, you will turn in your e-record at Interview Judging Day in July. Learn more about getting your project ready for the Larimer County Fair.

 

 

 

Project units 1-3 are designed for members 8-18 years old.

Unit 1:

Inspiring youth to:

  • Shadow an experienced beekeeper and learn to use equipment, open the hive, and clean up procedures.
  • Learn about the history of beekeeping and why honey bees are valuable
  • Learn about the three different types of honey bees, their anatomy and life stages
  • Observe what happens at the entrance of a hive. See the different activities of the honey bee.
  • Catalogue various species of flowers and observe the bees landing on the blooms.


Unit 2:

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn the various ways of obtaining bees and take care of a beehive of your own
  • Learn about the various diseases and mites common to honey bees
  • Visit Beekeepers Association meetings and join a community of beekeepers
  • Keep records of the honey bees activities. their conditions, equipment, finances, and your labor
  • Learn how to manage a bee hive and how to keep them alive and healthy
  • Learn how to extract honey

Unit 3:

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn advanced techniques for taking care of bee hives.
  • Learn how to keep a strong, populous colonies with young queens and the art of labeling your queens and requeening when needed
  • Learn how to manage mites and other issues with the honey bees.
  • Keep record sheets of your work and expenses.
  • Learn how to split colonies and increase your hive numbers

To print all upcoming events, select "Agenda" and then "Print"


Larimer County Colorado State University Extension

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ADDRESS     
1525 Blue Spruce Dr.     
Fort Collins, CO 80524-2004

Phone: (970) 498-6000

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HOURS  
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.    
Monday - Friday

 

Our office follows the Larimer County Holiday Calendar for office closures.