The Young Beekeeper Award is a program designed to encourage and reward youth and young adults, age 12-22, who are actively pursuing beekeeping as a hobby or fledgling business. Applicants will begin the process by submitting an application which includes open-ended questions about beekeeping. After September 1st, the Young Beekeepers Award committee will contact the applicants and schedule time for an interview through Zoom*. During this meeting, the applicants will be asked additional questions about their experience with beekeeping, basic honey bee knowledge, and future goals in beekeeping. Based on the scores from the initial application and the interview, three finalists from each category (junior and senior) will be chosen. At the TBoI Fall meeting, finalists will be interviewed by three different judges to determine the placings, and winners will receive cash prizes.
*If Zoom is not available (it is a free download), contact us to work out an alternative.
Download the application above. It can be submitted electronically or through the mail. The deadline is September 1, 2025. Questions should be directed to Jenn Slaughter at jennharris131@gmail.com or 317-372-0581.
Eligibility
Applicant must be:
- A member of The Beekeepers of Indiana
- Between the ages of 12-22
- Currently involved with beekeeping
- Able to get a recommendation from a 4-H leader, Boy/Girl Scout leader, any TBoI member in good standing, a former or current beekeeper, a FFA sponsor, a high school teacher, or college professor in any agriculturally related field
- A resident of Indiana
PRIZES
Junior Division (ages 12-16)
Complete hive setup AND
1st place $250
2nd place $100
3rd place $50
Senior Division (ages 17-22)
1st place $1000
2nd place $500
3rd place $300