Visitors Swarm to Hancock's Resolution for Beekeeping Seminar

Visitors buzzed to Hancock's Resolution last weekend to learn about the art and science of beekeeping thanks to assistance from the University of Maryland Extension's Master Gardener Program.

The event included a lecture on the life cycle and ecology of bees along with a demonstration of how beekeeping and caring for a hive works.

"The reason that we welcome the beekeepers and beehives here is that historically, when Francis Hancock died in 1831, his inventory shows two beehives," said Jim Morrison, President of the Friends of Hancock's Resolution. "If we have two beehives here that are active, it's entirely historically accurate to do that. It's part of the history of this farm and it's a wonderful thing to be doing."

"One really neat historical thing we come across working with an old farm like this is that when the first colonists came over, there were a lot of bees in the New World but no honeybees," said Morrison. "They had to import their honeybees from Europe."

"We show off the bees and talk about how honey is made," said Master Gardener Bob Bates. "We're at Hancock's for special occasions, though this is the only time we'll do a full lecture. Usually we just answer questions."

The presentation attracted a crowd of around 20 people.

"On a whim I decided I wanted to take up beekeeping," said Jessica Kraft-Klehn, one attendee. "I love honey and I was looking for a project."

"I thought the presentation was great and very informative," added Kraft-Klehn.

Bates said that his experience as a Master Gardener after retirement led him to learn more about beekeeping.

"The Master Gardeners teach people about agriculture," said Bates. "We concentrate on residential areas. There's also another group in the extension that teaches farmers. Our charter is to concentrate on homeowners. We think it'll inspire people to think about beekeeping - a lot of the Master Gardeners started hives of their own after seeing what we're doing here."