March 4, 1997 To: Public Affairs Directors From:Lowcountry Coordinator Limestone College 4500 Leeds Avenue ` North Charleston SC 29405 Subj: Public Service Announcement for a Beginning Beekeeping Course. 1. Request the following be announced as a Public Service Announcement: 2. There is a great need for new beekeepers. Mites have virtually destroyed the wild honey bee population. Honeybees are needed to pollinate gardens and farm fields in order to produce the fruit and vegetables we enjoy. The only source of pollination is a hive sitting in a persons back yard or at the edge of a farmers field. With more research and the development of contols, we will be able to win over the mites. 3. The Lowcountry and Colleton County Beekeepers will be conducting a one day "Introduction to Beekeeping" Course as part of a Limestone College Enrichment Course. This course will be scheduled on Saturday, March 29 from 9:00 to 5:00 P M at "Bee City" in Cottageville, South Carolina. Bee City is located off highway 61 near the Givens State Park. Signs will be provided. This workshop will include an Introduction to Beekeeping and Bee Biology, Equipment Needed, Installing Package Bees and Collecting Swarms, Detection and Control of Diseases and Extracting and Processing Honey. This course will satisfy the educational requirements for the education portion of the "Certified Beekeeper" level of the South Carolina State Beekeepers Master Beekeeper program. A field day will held in the Spring of 97 to complete the practical portion of the "Certified Beekeepers" level for the hands on experience of opening hives, locating queens and observing bee behavior. The cost for this course is $25.00 per person and $30.00 per family. The fee for taking the "Certified Beekeepers" exam is $5.00. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch. Drinks will be provided. This course will be taught by Archie Biering, a Certified Beekeeper, President of the Lowcountry Beekeepers and Ron Taylor, a Certified Beekeeper and President of the Colleton and South Carolina Beekeepers. To register for this course call Archie Biering at 803-835-2482 or Ron Taylor at 803-835-2482 or email: [log in to unmask] Sincerely: Ron Taylor