Beekeeping with Family and Consumer Sciences on the Flathead Reservation

Published: 2020
By Breton Homewood

Teaming with Flathead Reservation MSU Extension in Polson, Lake County MSU Extension Agent Breton Homewood initiated an afterschool program aimed at teaching Flathead Reservation youth about beekeeping in Elmo, Pablo, and Arlee. Homewood, a third-generation beekeeper, is working with afterschoolers to teach them entrepreneurship as well as pollination and sustainable gardening. The project kicked off in April 2020 with the hiving of the bees. Tribal youth painted beehives and learned about how to bee keep under instruction from Homewood, and his colleague, Brenda Richey. It is the project’s goal to have permanent programs in place in each of the tribal schools, giving youth access to a fun project that teaches them skills to utilize outside of the classroom. While elements of the project have slowed due to the onset of Covid-19, Homewood has since adapted his courses to Facebook live and online videos to help the youth continue their education about honeybees. The future of the project will teach tribal youth how to market and sell honey, as well as make bee-related products such as soaps, candles, and lip balms.