Winners of the 2012 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2013 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2014 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2015 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2016 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2017 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2018 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2019 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2020 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2021 Young Beekeeper Award

Winners of the 2022 Young Beekeeper Award

Senior Division Placings
     First Place:
          Emily Swanson (Illiana Beekeepers)
     Second Place:
          Lilly Pryor (Indy Southside Beekeepers)
     Third Place:
          Cassidy Riddle (Michiana Beekeepers Association)

Junior Division Placings
     First Place:
          Jacob Dowd (North Central Beekeepers)
     Second Place:
          Charlie Hendrickson (Whitewater Valley B'kprs)         
     Third Place:
          Evan Adams (Twin Lakes Beekeepers)

Senior Division

Emily Swanson

The Young Beekeeper of the Year Award process has been such an enriching experience. Completing the application was a valuable assignment because it gave me the opportunity to form and reflect on my personal opinions and experiences. The question about what values I have learned from beekeeping fascinated me. I thought about all of lessons that I have learned through beekeeping such as trusting God with the bees, helping out friends, and responsibly caring for your livestock. I am very glad that the people in my club encouraged me to pursue this scholarship, and for the chance to attend my first beekeeping conference. 

Lilly Pryor

Applying for the Young Beekeepers of Indiana Award gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I have learned through beekeeping as well as how I can and have impacted others. My long-term goal is to advocate for agriculture and beekeeping. I have been able to help educate younger generations as well as people my age and older about beekeeping, because of what I have learned through my own personal experiences. Beekeeping has provided me with many outreach opportunities as well as FFA and 4-H opportunities, and I have learned so much in the 3 years of being a beekeeper. I would recommend for next year's applicants take on every opportunity they are offered through beekeeping, take their time to advocate for what they are passionate about, and finally reflect on what they’ve learned and share it. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and to be able to learn more things about beekeeping in the future. 

 Cassidy Riddle

This is the third year I have participated in the Young Beekeepers Award Program.  This program has helped me find my passion for beekeeping. Through this program, I have had the opportunity to learn and grow as a beekeeper through new resources, information, and mentors.  I am grateful for the people I have met and the experiences I have gained from being a part of the Young Beekeepers Award Program.  I look forward to being apart of The Beekeepers of Indiana for many years to come.

For more information, contact:

Jeanette Wiles, Chairperson
16015 Union Chapel Rd
Noblesville, IN  46060
317-697-5926

Complete and either mail or send Application to:
jettinindy@gmail.com   DEADLINE:  September 1, 2023

Do you have bees or are you a beekeeper 12 - 22 years of age?

Interested in earning cash?  We give awards for First, Second and Third place in two categories.  All finalists must be present at the Fall meeting.  Finalists lodging expenses will be provided by the State Association.

Read below for award eligibility.

Award eligibility is based on the following criteria:

• Must be 12-16, 17-22 years of age.
• Must be currently involved with beekeeping.
• Must be recommended by their 4-H leader, Boy/Girl Scout leader, any TBoI member in good standing, any former or current beekeeper, FFA sponsor, high school teacher, or college professor in any agriculturally related field.
• Must be a resident of Indiana.

If interested, print and fill out the application.   Submissions may be electronic or via regular mail.  Send submissions and recommendation to:  Jeanette Wiles, Young Beekeeper Award Coordinator, 16015 Union Chapel Rd, Noblesville, IN  46060
or jettinindy@gmail.com.  

DEADLINE:  September 1, 2023 

Junior Division 

Jacob Dowd

Applying for the Young Beekeepers of Indiana award was a great step during my journey of beekeeping. I learned about the program when I went to the Indiana State Fair this past year. I hadn't been beekeeping for that long, but I decided to apply, and I am glad I did. The program was great because it gave me an opportunity to share what I knew about beekeeping, but most significantly, it allowed me to meet experienced beekeepers and learn from them. The beekeepers that I met broadened my view of beekeeping and increased my curiosity about bees.

The application process was straightforward and easy to follow. The application was laid out so that there were enough guidelines to know what to write about but allowed for enough freedom to write what you wanted. I loved how we were allowed as much space as needed to write our application. I would encourage any young beekeeper to apply for the program because you get to share what you know about beekeeping and learn from the more experienced beekeepers you meet.

 Charlie Hendrickson

Applying for TBoI Young Beekeeper Award was a fun and exciting way to think about my beekeeping experience so far. I have learned a lot from the time we got our first hive and I first worked with them in my brand new clean bee jacket until now, working in a ventilated, well worn dirty bee suit. I am really getting the hang of talking to others about bees, and applying for this award helped me realize that. Our mentor from our beekeeping club told me about the award and wrote a recommendation for me. Applying for this award made me want to look for more chances to talk to others about bees. I will use the winnings towards getting my own equipment as I start two hives of my own next spring.   THANK YOU Beekeepers of Indiana for this opportunity!! 

Evan Adams

Applying for the Young Beekeeper Award was not something I never imagined I would be doing this summer, but I’m glad I did! I’m very new to beekeeping, having only begun about a year ago when I was invited by a friend to help care for his hives. The application questions prompted me to discuss, learn, and think more about beekeeping. I took beekeeping in 4-H for the first time this year and my project was selected by my county to be entered in the State Fair. It was there that I learned about The Beekeepers of Indiana and the Young Beekeepers Award. The Beekeepers of Indiana have given me a lot of information and resources that I never would have had without joining. I know that no matter what the outcome of the Young Beekeeper Award is, I have learned a lot and have been encouraged to grow my interest in becoming a great beekeeper. I would like to thank The Beekeepers of Indiana for sponsoring this award and encouraging my new interest.