Beekeeping & pollinator education in MN prisons

The University of Minnesota Bee Lab, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, continues to provide hands-on beekeeping experiences to Minnesota prisoners.

The Bees in Prisons program, established in 2017, is asking for support to fund the creation of virtual classes and expanded curriculum. Participants will receive a better understanding of basic bee biology, native bee knowledge and honey bee management skills.

A gift today would strengthen the Bees in Prison program!

• $25 provides treatment and management tools for the prison mentoring apiary 
• $50 provides protective gear for one beekeeping student 
• $100 supports a hands-on bee squad mentoring class or online class development
• $250 funds scientific training and data collection at the prison apiary 
• $500 sponsors one of the colonies at the prison mentoring apiary
• $1,000 develops beekeeping training certificate options for participants

Participants find themselves learning something new each time they open their hives, deepening their connection with the nation and taking a deep dive into the fascination biology of the honey bee superorganism.