Louisa County High School students are learning about biology, social structure, and citizenship in a unique way -- and all at once -- thanks to a new program that is all the buzz! LCHS debuted a beekeeping program this school year, allowing students to work at an on-campus bee apiary filled with roughly 400,000 honey bees! Each day, students work with the bees, which are kept in an apiary right behind the high school. The class is led by LCHS culinary instructor Ben Howell, who knows the importance of bees and their impact on local farms, gardens, and more. Many crops, such as apples, pears, and strawberries, largely rely on pollination by honey bees. In fact, the FDA estimates that bee pollination accounts for about $15 billion in added crop value. The program is a unique opportunity for students, and it also comes with an added benefit for both them and Howell. Honey is routinely harvested from the bees, bottled, and then used in the school’s culinary classes! Un-bee-lievable!

<strong>Contact: </strong>

Andrew Woolfolk, Public Information Officer

<a href="mailto:woolfoal@lcps.k12.va.us">woolfoal@lcps.k12.va.us</a>

540-872-1080