Specialty Crop

Niobrara County 4-H members and other youths have the opportunity to learn about beekeeping, honey production, food safety, and other aspects of this growing industry (both hobby and professional) in Wyoming and other states, including everything from hive health to the importance of pollinators.

An apiary was established at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds in 2017, and youths along with adult mentors care for the bees and also produce honey, which is sold from the UW Extension office at the fairgrounds. Kellie Chichester, community vitality & health educator for Niobrara County Extension, says that the 4-H honey program started after a group of local high school 4-Hers attended the Citizenship Washington Focus conference in Washington, D.C., in 2017. During that conference, 4-Hers from around the country were tasked with the challenge of helping to ensure the country’s food supply. The Niobrara County youths decided to start a beekeeping and honey program, not only to promote local food production, but also focus on the importance of pollinators and their habitat.