We're taking an in depth look at honeybees in the state of Wisconsin.
In the most recent reports released by the United States Department of Agriculture we took a look at the number of honeybee colonies in Wisconsin over the past couple of years.
In January of 2018 there were 21,000 colonies. In January of 2019 there were 16,500 colonies, and in January of 2020 there were 16,000 colonies.
Honeybees are considered the world's most important pollinator.
We checked in with the Brown County Beekeepers Association who says in general pesticides, veroa mites, and loss of habitat are the three greatest challenges for the honeybee.
They say through education we can make improvements.
Emily Skala of Pulaski is 16-years-old. She is learning to become a beekeeper.
She has attended the first two intro classes offered by the Brown County Beekeepers Assocation.
After she completes the series, she is looking forward to getting her own hives.
"Being able to see how the bees can help the environment," said Emily Skala.
Emily was inspired by her mother and aunt, who both bee-keep.
She says it's important to be properly educated so you can protect yourself and the bees.
"You know they are such small creatures, but you know that they could instantly start swarming you if you make one wrong move," said Skala. "It's kind of scary but also pretty cool how they have one mind even though there is thousands of bees."
"Anybody in our area that is interested in honeybees is welcome to our club," said Dave Elsen, the president of the Brown County Beekeepers Association.
The Brown County Beekeepers Association has roughly 100 members. They range in age from 12-years-old all the way to folks in their 70s.
The main role of the club is to educate the public and their members about honeybees and their important role in pollination.
Eighty percent of cultivated crops are pollinated by honeybees.
"We generally encourage you to have two hives so that way you can see the difference in what's going on," said Elsen.
Elsen says owning your own hives can give you a sense of being a part of a greater purpose.
Plus, there is that sweet honey which you can eat any way you like.
Don't worry too much about being stung.
"It's not that bad being stung by a honeybee," said Skala.
The introduction classes can give you all of the information you need to get started and find success in the hobby.
The third and final intro class of the season is coming up at the end of May.
The first two were virtual. The last one is outside at the Botanical Gardens.
For more information you can visit their Facebook page or website.
