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Hampden-Sydney is going to the bees. The college announced a new apiary project late last week, one involving the transformation of a field at the campus entrance. That field will now become a habitat for honey bees.

Why? College officials say the goal is to help the environment, while also giving some hands-on educational opportunities for students, faculty and staff. The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) funded the project with two grants totaling $24,000. And you could even say the bees are locals, as they’re European honey bees from Charlotte County. Local beekeepers Scott Poling and Keith Tignor, who work with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, donated equipment and expertise to the project. The college installed the first hive in March and added a second in April. Now the project is ready for students to interact with the bees.

“This is a truly fascinating and engaging experience,” said Dr. Scott Starr. He works as assistant professor of biology at Hampden-Sydney. “Bees are essential to our environment and play a crucial role in the food we depend on.”

Campus officials say the apiary presents an opportunity to involve students from various disciplines across campus.

“By leveraging the expertise of different majors, we can enhance our ability to support the apiary through the products it produces,” added Director of Facilities Kevin Miller.

The apiary offers opportunities for research on bee behavior and health and practical experience in hive management. The college plans an introductory beekeeping course for spring 2025.

Future plans include harvesting honey to raise funds to sustain the apiary’s operations and involving students in regular care and maintenance of the hives. The project represents a collaborative effort involving faculty, staff, alumni, and students from various disciplines, which campus officials say demonstrates Hampden-Sydney’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.