Learn at library to keep bees

The LeFlore County OSU Extension Center will be hosting an all-day beekeeping workshop on March 21 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This program will take place at the Patrick Lynch Library in Poteau. Currently, this workshop is completely full.

According to Liana Jones, the OSU Extension Ag Educator for LeFlore County, the class is already full.

Dr. Courtney Bir from Stillwater will be the speaker at the workshop. Jones said if the workshop is success, they may be able to schedule another workshop with Dr. Bir.

Jones said that Dr. Bir will be bringing hives of bees to the class, along with all of the needed equipment.

Bir will break down the entire process of beekeeping, from what equipment you will need, how much it will cost, to starting their hive and collecting honey.

Jones says she hopes people come away from the workshop viewing the extension office as a valuable learning resource.

“Hopefully the big thing is that they know our extension office is a place they can come for research-based answers if they have trouble with this beekeeping.”

Beekeeping is a popular topic this year. Many people are interested in learning the craft.

“People are seeing the importance of how bees play a role, especially in our food chain,” Jones said.

The idea for the class came from the Public Advisory Committee, which acts as a guide and helps the OSU Extension Office plan out activities for the year.

Jones said the committee really wanted a focus on homesteadingtype activities, and she also said there is a lot of interest in these types of classes.

She said she wants people to know that the extension office is not just for large-scale agriculture.

“I think sometimes people think that OSU Extension, we are traditional Ag and you have to have cows and a lot of land, and that’s not the case. We want to be able to provide education for people who do container gardens on their patio all the way to the people who do chicken house,.” Jones said.

For more information about the OSU Extension Office, or to learn more about upcoming workshop opportunities, contact the LeFlore County Extension Office at 918-647-8231. Also, visit the LeFlore County OSU Extension Office Facebook page.