Young farmers talk

[Cazza]

Help needed!!
I have been volunteered to speak at a Young Farmers meeting soon. Topic is pretty much anything to do with bees and beekeeping but needs a Farming slant.
I want to make it fun as I imagine attention spans are short, if my neice who is in the YF, is anything to go by.
Any ideas?
I thought about having a suiting up and hive assembling race?

I am struggling with this as my usual talks are to the over 60's.
Cazza

 

[user 6228]

Comparison of honeybee pollination of crops in us and uk

 

[Pete D]

Hi Cazza, have a look at the thread called public beekeeping talk in the education section. On page 3 there is a link to a PowerPoint presentation. In it there is a hive built up section by section.
I did a talk to some young farmers and. I had 2 hives set up and asked for 2 volunteers to strip them down bit by bit as I talked about each bit. Then 2 volunteers to race to rebuild them, jar of honey was the prize. Sold a dozen later.

 

[REDWOOD]

How about herbicides, pesticides and fungicides and the affect they have on honeybees

 

[BeeJayBee]

Judging by most Young Farmers' interests, they might appreciate at least a few minutes about mead making and followed by mead tasting.

You could, perhaps, discuss the benefits of planting field margins with pollinator friendly plants, attracting insects which might in turn help them with some pest control.

 

[Limousin Lass]

How about herbicides, pesticides and fungicides and the affect they have on honeybees

Have a good time, YFs was great and much was learned in a friendly atmosphere.
Discuss chemicals, of course as they will be expecting it. How ever, you'd better know your stuff about said chemicals, as they may be young but some of them will be well qualified in the subject. Pesticides are obviously a problem and with the Neonicotinoids ban more of them will now be used. Herbicides and Fungicides are not insecticides.
I am not having a go, but pointing out that some will be BASIS and FACTS qualified.

 

[polomadh]

You could try to replicate this.....

► 15:57► 15:57
www.ted.com/.../marla_spivak_why_bees_are_disappe...
17 Sep 2013
Honeybees have thrived for 50 million years, each colony 40 to 50000 individuals coordinated ...


Her style and content has mush to be desired...

 

[Cazza]

Have a good time, YFs was great and much was learned in a friendly atmosphere.
Discuss chemicals, of course as they will be expecting it. How ever, you'd better know your stuff about said chemicals, as they may be young but some of them will be well qualified in the subject. Pesticides are obviously a problem and with the Neonicotinoids ban more of them will now be used. Herbicides and Fungicides are not insecticides.
I am not having a go, but pointing out that some will be BASIS and FACTS qualified.

Fortunately as a farmers child, I know my stuff too!
Cazza

 

[Cazza]

You could try to replicate this.....

► 15:57► 15:57
www.ted.com/.../marla_spivak_why_bees_are_disappe...
17 Sep 2013
Honeybees have thrived for 50 million years, each colony 40 to 50000 individuals coordinated ...


Her style and content has mush to be desired...

Thank you for this, I will have a good look later.
Cazza

 

[Cazza]

Judging by most Young Farmers' interests, they might appreciate at least a few minutes about mead making and followed by mead tasting.

You could, perhaps, discuss the benefits of planting field margins with pollinator friendly plants, attracting insects which might in turn help them with some pest control.

These ones seem to be under 18 so mead is off but I will be delving into field margins.
Thank you BJ.
Cazza

 

[Cazza]

How about herbicides, pesticides and fungicides and the affect they have on honeybees

Luckily I have just been to a presentation on just this very thing. Thank you Redwood.
Cazza

 

[Cazza]

Hi Cazza, have a look at the thread called public beekeeping talk in the education section. On page 3 there is a link to a PowerPoint presentation. In it there is a hive built up section by section.
I did a talk to some young farmers and. I had 2 hives set up and asked for 2 volunteers to strip them down bit by bit as I talked about each bit. Then 2 volunteers to race to rebuild them, jar of honey was the prize. Sold a dozen later.

Brilliant, thank you Pete.
Cazza

 

[Cazza]

Comparison of honeybee pollination of crops in us and uk

It'd be interesting to mention US style migratory beekeeping.
Ta Derek
Cazza

 

[Cazza]

Thank you everyone for these good ideas. if anyone has any more, keep em coming.
Cazza

 

[Luminos]

As they're farmers, I'm surprised you aren't going to show them how make a Beecrow...

 

[Cazza]

As they're farmers, I'm surprised you aren't going to show them how make a Beecrow...

The Beecrow is still going strong. Shame it didn't actually work as a decoy for the grumpy bees. It now resides in the veggy garden.
Cazza

 

[beeno]

Hi Cazza
Apparently, beekeeping is part of the Duke of Edinburh Award Scheme, so may be of interest from an academic point of view as well as saving any farming family money in the long run if they are presently buying bumble bees on an annual basis.

 

[BeeJayBee]

The Beecrow is still going strong. Shame it didn't actually work as a decoy for the grumpy bees. It now resides in the veggy garden.
Cazza

Have you still got a copy of the photo?

 

[Cazza]

Hi Cazza
Apparently, beekeeping is part of the Duke of Edinburh Award Scheme, so may be of interest from an academic point of view as well as saving any farming family money in the long run if they are presently buying bumble bees on an annual basis.

Thanks Beeno. Hadn't thought of buying in bumbles.
Cazza

 

[Luminos]

Have you still got a copy of the photo?

Et voilà...
www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17966&highlight=beecrow