Write an Essay, Win a Beehive!

The Lancaster County Honey Producers will award a complete beehive to a Lancaster County teenager who writes the winning essay on the value of honey bees to the US economy.

Many people are concerned about the absence of bees in their gardens. Beekeepers have been beset with many problems over the past few years which have destroyed many of the feral bees around the country. Some of the problems have been overcome by the bees themselves and by care given by the beekeepers. Penn State along with other agencies has been working on finding the reason for the latest problem, colony collapse disorder. They have not isolated the cause of the problem or the way to combat it.

Lancaster County Honey Producers, composed mostly of beekeepers with 10 or fewer hives, is interested in increasing the number of beekeepers in the Lancaster Count. They hope the essay contest will promote that interest. They invite all beekeepers who are not now members, but are interested in learning more about bees or keeping bees, to join the organization which promotes beekeeping in Lancaster County The essay contest winner and the awarding of the hive will take place at their first meeting of the 2009 season on April 21 at the Lancaster County Environmental Center. For more information visit:lancastercountyhoneyproducers.org.

The rules for the contest are:

TOPIC: The Value of Honey Bees to the US Economy

PRIZE: A complete beehive

One year mentoring by a Lancaster County Honey Producer.

One year membership in the PA State Beekeepers Association

Dutch Gold of Rohrerstown will award a veil, a hive tool, gloves, and a smoker.

Total value: more than $400

RULES;

1. Contest is open to any resident of Lancaster County who was born after December 31, 1992 but before January 1, 1998.

2. Essay should be 500 words or less. The decision of the judges is final.

3. Essay will be judged on the content, the originality of thought, and the development of the theme.

4. Each essay should have a removable cover page with the name and address of the entrant. No information about the entrant should be included in the body of the essay.

5. The essay must be submitted to: Robert M Singer, 58 St John Circle, Lititz Pa 17543 postmarked on or before February 28, 2009, or by e-mail to romer@dejazzd.com by February 28, 2009.

6. Each essay must be accompanied by a letter from the parent or guardian of the entrant indicating that they have a proper location for the hive and accepting full responsibility for the hive. The letter should indicate that the Lancaster County Honey Producers are absolved of any responsibility or liability for the hive after it is awarded.

7. Each participant is awarded one year membership in the Lancaster County Honey Producers and invited to participate in all activities of the Lancaster County Honey Producers for the year 2009.

8. The winner will be announced and the hive presented at the meeting of the Lancaster County Honey Producers on Tuesday, April 21, 2009

If you would like more information about the Lancaster County Honey Producers please contact one of our officers;