on May 21, 2010Earlier this spring the Bowen Agricultural Alliance launched a $300 bursary for a young beekeeper, with funding support from a Vancouver Coastal Health grant. The successful candidate is Elsa Heath, a Grade 6 student at IPS.
New beekeeper Elsa Heath (photo courtesy Martha Perkins, Bowen Island Undercurrent)
Elsa’s interest in beekeeping has been piqued over the past couple of years with the arrival of several managed beehives in her family’s orchard off Mount Gardner road. She’s learned a bit through observation and asking questions, and she says she’s now ready to learn more and take on the responsibility for a hive of her own.
Those who have met Elsa will know she is dedicated to animals and has demonstrated her ability to look after horses, chickens, dogs, cats, and even pet rats. We are extremely excited to welcome Elsa to the beekeeping world and feel confident she will bring inquisitiveness, confidence, and commitment to this pursuit. As far as we know, the bursary is the first of its kind on the island. The $300 will pay for Elsa’s registration in the beginning beekeeping course (which she attended May 14-16), and to defray the startup costs for a new bee colony. A number of beekeepers on the island have already come forward to donate equipment to help her get started. Elsa will have hands-on support from her fellow island beekeepers, and from veteran beekeeper Bruce Dobinson who will be providing mentorship to the group over the coming year.
