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From Rooftop to Garden
From Rooftop to Garden
After establishing the garden and chicken coop, adding honeybees was a natural next step for The farmSTED. With generous support from the Veale Foundation and private donors, and in partnership with Youth Bee Works, we launched our beekeeping program.
Our original hives were located on the school roof, but they have since been relocated to the garden area behind the outdoor classroom. This new location provides better protection from wind and winter conditions and makes the hives more accessible for students, visitors, and tours—including those with limited mobility. Today, The farmSTED maintains five active hives as part of our growing system.
Learning Through Beekeeping
Learning Through Beekeeping
The farmSTED Beekeeping Club is one of the most unique programs on campus, bringing together both students and faculty. Each year begins with a six-week “Beekeeping 101” course held during the winter months, when the hives are less active.
As the season progresses, new members transition into hands-on work with the hives. Veteran students take the lead in teaching foundational skills, while our partners at Youth Bee Works provide guidance on more advanced topics such as hive health, seasonal management, and bee behavior. This layered approach creates a strong culture of mentorship and collaborative learning.
Honey & Impact
Honey & Impact
Twice each year, students harvest honey from the hives, gaining firsthand experience with the full cycle of production. The honey is sold through in the Green and Gold Shop and is always in high demand.
Beyond the harvest, the bees play a critical role in pollination across The farmSTED, supporting the health of our gardens and food forest. More importantly, the program helps students develop a deeper understanding of ecosystems, responsibility, and the interconnected nature of life on the farm.
Pollinator Resources
OSU Bee Lab Located in Wooster, Ohio, this research facility is doing ground breaking research on honeybees and looking for solutions to the many threats they face. Their website also has links to workshops, classes and articles.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. Their website is the starting point to learn about all kinds of pollinators that are so critical to the ecosystem, and to learn what is being done (and how you can help!) to save them.
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