HIVE KEEPING – RETURN TO TRADITION 1ST EDITION IS ALREADY BEHIND US!!!

12/11/20222 min read

A unique beekeeping workshop held for the first time in Lower Silesia. The workshop project was implemented with financial support from the PGE Foundation. The workshops were conducted by the BARTNE BROTHERHOOD, which owns 35 beehives in the Augustów Forest and is committed to the revival of Polish beekeeping and the protection of wild bees.

The workshop location was chosen deliberately: the town of Złotówek in the Trzebnica County – a OHZ (Open-Air Zoo) with a hunting lodge, wildlife enclosures, an educational room, a shelter, and a bonfire pit. The OHZ also offers accommodations for workshop participants. The area and setting were ideal for this type of workshop. The group size for the workshops was 12-16 people. Due to the overwhelming interest in the workshops, we increased the number of participants to 20. All those who registered for the workshops were adults.

The workshop was aimed at beekeepers and anyone interested in learning the secrets of the dying profession of beekeeping. The workshops were open to those not involved in beekeeping or wild beekeeping. Those who participated in our workshops, after making their own beehive logs, could take them home and use them for their intended purpose. After the two-day workshop, four beehive logs were transferred to the FOUNDATION FROM MY ŁOWISKA (FARMING FOUNDATION). One of the logs was scheduled to be hung in the Trzebnica district during the workshop. However, this did not happen due to several factors:

– the beehive logs were made of fresh wood that was not seasoned, which made processing easier, and the weight of one log is about 250-300 kg

– weather conditions and heavy rain on the first day of the workshop additionally caused the logs to soak up water, which increased their weight.

– the tree chosen for hanging the beehive log was slippery and increased the risk and possibility of an accident, which could have tragic consequences.

A beehive log will be hung on the premises of the OHZ in Złotówko, serving an educational purpose. Additionally, an information board will be placed commemorating the partners, sponsor and their financial support, as well as the workshop participants.

At the same time, by March, the FOUNDATION FROM MY ŁOWISKA will make an additional 1 beehive log in order to hang the previously prepared log at the next beehive workshops which we plan to carry out as a continuation of our project in March and October next year, in which a total of about 40 participants will take part and at least 20 beehive logs will be made.

Already, a group of 5 beekeepers from Podkarpacie who participated in the workshops have purchased tools and made several beehive logs.

The first beekeeping workshop was a wonderful initiative and the beginning of a return to our history. All of the goals were met 100%, in accordance with the proposed project.

We extend our sincere thanks to the entire PGE Foundation for their financial support and trust. With the help of the PGE Foundation and our hard work, we have a chance to revive the dying profession of beekeeping. On behalf of myself and the board of the FOUNDATION FROM MY ŁOWISKA, we sincerely thank you once again!