Local Youth Begin Year of Beekeeping

The Dodge/Jefferson Co Beekeepers Association welcomed Colton Klecker and Riley Kappell as the Youth in Beekeeping recipients for 2015. Each youth recently received and installed a package of bees to care for during the beekeeping season. The young beekeepers are also assigned mentors to assist them with their learning experience. Pictured from left to right are:  mentor Russ Haecker, Colton Klecker, Riley Kappell, and mentor Wally Nass. 

 Colton Klecker, son of Troye & Dawn Klecker of Jefferson is a member of the Rock Lake Troopers 4-H club and Lake Mills FFA chapter. By learning more about honey bees and keeping hives, Colton’s goal is to increase his pumpkin production through pollination. Riley Kappell, son of Matt and Alyssa Cahoon of Watertown, is a member of the Lebanon Luckies 4-H club. Riley started one hive in 2014 but it didn’t live throughout the winter. His goal is to produce surplus honey and keep his bees alive through 2016. The applicants were selected by the club as a part of the group’s promotion and educational initiatives for youth interested in beekeeping. Good luck this beekeeping season!