Promotion of the continued development of beginning bee keepers [XP2017-18]

Project Description: 

The research project will help to provide technical support for beginning bee keepers. Recently, six bee keeping courses were conducted in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, with 130 attendees. More than 70 of the attendees have started bee keeping. These new beekeepers are looking for additional support for the challenges they are encountering. The grant will enable bee keeping experts to host a summer field day, employment of technical support staff, and to acquire equipment. 

Project ID: 
XP2017-18
Years of Grant Project: 
1
Total Grant Amount: 
$34,595
Project Start: 
2017
Lead Investigator: 
Duane Bajema
Lead Investigator Bio: 

Duane Bajema is a professor at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and has been in this capacity since 1977.  He has served as interim dean of the Natural Sciences, Program Leader of the Agriculture Department, Director of the Agriculture Stewardship Center, and has directed the Practicum program. He also has taught upper and lower level core courses for the college and the department, taught a variety of courses in the agriculture program, and an international course that travels to Nicaragua. Bajema has also supervised a number of independent studies and has advised groups of students on various research projects in the department. He continues to serve as an advisor to the Ag Club and the Pre-Vet Club. Additionally, he is a Master Beekeeper and maintains 30 colonies of bees.