Note: To protect the privacy of the Apprenticeship winners, their families and those who participated in their selection we are only publishing select information. These young men have been given the ability to correct or modify this web page to correct or delete items on this page.
Colten Hardesty is the son of Brian & Debbie Hardesty, they
live at 835 James Pl in West Fork, AR 72774. 479-839-2741. Colten is 13
and is home schooled and has interests in sports and nature. Colten is very eager to learn about bees and has already read many books
about the subject.
Colten's Activities
Select comments on Colten's Application
Describe some of your interests and
activities outside of school:
My interests lie in two categories,
nature and sports that take accuracy. Sometimes I can even do both
at the same time. For example, I have played baseball since I was 4
years old and have mainly pitched and played first base. In
addition, I love shooting traditional archery. Both sports require
an element of precision, and I get to be outdoors.
I enjoy cultivating
and husbandry. We put in a garden two years ago. Since then one of
my favorite places to be has been out in the garden. I like watching
and taking care of the plants to help them grow and produce.
Recently over the last several months, I have been researching,
reading, and attending several seminars on poultry. My dad and I are
in the process of building a chicken coop, and I expect my first
batch of 20 chicks in on Dec. 7th. I can’t wait! I
already have people lined up to purchase my eggs. In addition over
the last month, I have begun reading and researching honeybees. I’m
hoping to put this knowledge to good use in the near future!
Baking is also one
of my favorite past times for two reasons, eating it and giving it
away. The most popular right now is my Friendship Bread. I like
being able to make something to give to others to bring them joy. I
can’t wait to use my own eggs and honey in the future.
Sitting around to
listen and talk with others has always been fun for me. I like
listening to older people tell stories and being able to ask them
questions. I learn a lot this way, and the stories crack me up.
I have also been
drawing some, especially nature. I do not consider myself good at
it, but I enjoy it and my mom likes what I have drawn. Hopefully
with more practice I will become better.
What do you know about bees and
beekeeping?
I have read two books: Beekeeping
Self-Sufficiency by Joanna Ryde and The Backyard Beekeeper by Kim
Flottum. I have also talked with people, watched several videos and
listened to audio sermons on beekeeping through the internet. In
addition, I have asked for several other books on beekeeping for
Christmas.
One of the most
important things I heard was that 1/3 of our food requires bees for
its continued production. That is huge! Tie this fact with the bee
population is reducing and we see the need for more educated
beekeepers. Furthermore, there are not as many commercial beekeepers
which means more backyard beekeepers are needed to fill in the gap to
help pollinate crops. I want to help with this!
Besides the fact I just like
bees, there are two other reasons why I want to be a bee apprentice.
The first is that I can only understand so much through reading.
Things will make more sense as I watch someone who shows me the
secrets and the tricks of the trade. I hope by being an apprentice I
will make fewer mistakes and am more successful. Plus the more
people I know in beekeeping, the more resources will be available for
me to learn. I would have others to turn to with my questions.
The second is the fact that I don’t
want to have my parents pay to get me started in beekeeping. They
have sacrificed to help me get started in poultry, and they don’t
have an endless supply of money. I have prayed for a way that I can
help pay to get started in beekeeping. By having free equipment
available and helping teach someone else in another year, I’m
hoping this will be a way to also help my parents.
Are you willing to work closely with
a mentor?
I’m looking forward to it! This is
one of the main reasons I want to be in the youth apprenticeship
program, to learn from a mentor. I believe that there should be a
mentor program for everything.
Are you a member of a club (4-H,
Scotts, FFA)? Could this be a project for your club?
We are in the process of joining at
least one, probably two 4-H groups, the poultry 4-H and one that is
more of a general group. We have contacted Johnny Gunsaulis at the
extension office, and he sent us a list of 4-H groups. So we are
visiting several groups to see what the best fit is. Trying to do
this around the 4-H groups’ holiday plans has been difficult. But
hopefully in the next couple of months, since you must go to two
meetings before joining 4-H, I will be a member. Since I have yet
been a member anywhere, I hope beekeeping can be a project for
a 4-H group. From what group leaders have said, I think there is a
good chance. In addition, I definitely could see beekeeping
as a project for many homeschooling families.
Is there anything else you want to
share to strengthen your application?
By being home
educated, I have a lot of flexibility. Learning about beekeeping and
taking care of bees and the hive can be part of my home education.
So I will have more time to devote to beekeeping than probably many
others. It also gives me some flexibility with meeting with a
mentor.
I’m a type of
person who will think about my observations or what a mentor says.
This means that if I did not understand something, I will eventually
get it or I will know what questions I need to ask so I can
understand.
I’m not afraid of
bees, although I do understand they will sting. I’m also not
allergic to bee stings.
George Washington
wrote, "I know of no pursuit in which more real and important
services can be rendered to any country than by improving its
agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a
husbandman's cares." And Thomas Jefferson wrote to George
Washington, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will
in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and
happiness." I believe that Washington and Jefferson had great
points that can help our country. My goal is to be more
self-sufficient and to teach others to be also. A big part of this
is learning how to raise and grow as much of our own food as we can.
I’m trying to learn to do this. I planted oats this past fall so I
can grow my own feed for my chickens. I hope to sow sweet clover for
the bees this spring.
Birds and bees have
always gone together. I have my birds, now I just need the bees to
go with them.
Select comments from Colten's Reference letters
Colten is a very polite and respectful
young man. He is the type of person you don’t have to ask to do a
nice deed he just does it because he’s that type of person.
Colten shows great leadership on and
off the field. He always steps up and leads the team as a good
example.
Obviously being the leader of the team
he shows great ability to work collaboratively but also works well
independently.
I have studied Colten for many years
and have discovered his love and passion for husbandry and
agricultural pursuits.
Academics are very easy for Colten.
His temperament reveals that he is persistent, analytical, and pays
attention to details. Colten’s first tendency is to sit back and
evaluate new situations; but once he feels comfortable, he is very
articulate and will ask many questions. Afterwards Colten will take
the lead in applying this new knowledge.
Colten is very responsible.
I’m
thinking that this young man could turn out to be your “rookie of
the year”!
Colten
is a terrific young man and I am certain that he will be a joy to
work with .....
Colton is an enthusiastic young man
that has a lot interest in agricultural endeavors. He shows a lot of
interest in the Beekeeping program and is willing to do whatever is
necessary to make this project a worthwhile adventure.
He is highly motivated in any area of
interest and would be willing to do what is necessary to make the
project a success.
He enjoys working outside and has the physical
capabilities for a project of this nature.
Sam Goll is the son of Steve & Annette Goll, they live at 2015
Tallgrass Dr in Fayetteville, AR 72701. 479-263-7914. Sam is 17 and
attends Fayetteville High school and is active on the wrestling team and
maintains a 3.6 GPA. Sam has an excellent location for bees around lake
Sequoya. Sam also has
an entrepreneurial spirit. Since beginning his high school career, he
has started a very successful candy and snack food operation.
Sam's Activities
Select comments on Sam's Application
Describe some of your interests and
activities outside of school:
My life outside of school is extremely busy. I am active at church with the youth group and I babysit during services. I participate on a competitive trap shooting team in Elkins. I was elected to be part of a group call "Teen Leadership Xperience". We meet the first Tuesday of the month for the entire day to learn about North West Arkansas. Finally, I am on the Fayetteville High School Wrestling team. Although that is a school sport, I spend many weekends at wrestling tournaments and practice outside of the normal school day.
What do you know about bees and
beekeeping?
Compared to most people in the NWABA I know very little about beekeeping while compared to the normal American, I know quite a lot. I have been researching honey bees for a couple of months and I have been coming to NWABA meetings. I can't list everything I know here but I believe I know enough to have the drive to work hard to effectively run a beehive.
Why do you want to become an
apprentice beekeeper?
Are you williI first met one of my cousin's friends in Nebraska that had a hive. He was a young bee keeper and he showed me his hives and I was hooked! I came home from Nebraska and spent at least two hours every day for the next two seeks researching bees. I was amazed at the complexity as well as the efficiency of the honey bees. I am extremely interested in the idea and act of bee keeping; therefore I want to become an apprentice beekeeper learn hands on and not just on paper and research.ng to work closely with
a mentor?
Yes, I would most definitely love to have a mentor to help me and inform me about beekeeping. I look forward to working with someone and learning from them if I win this apprenticeship.
Are you a member of a club (4-H,
Scotts, FFA)? Could this be a project for your club?
I am a member of Student Council, Youth Ministry at church, and other clubs at school. I am also part of a Teen Leadership group that travels around North West Arkansas. I could see using bee keeping as part of the tour to introduce the students to some of the rural interests of the area.
Is there anything else you want to
share to strengthen your application?
Ever since I was a small child I have wanted to have a real hobby and/or collect something AND I was always interested in business endeavors and making money. With bee keeping I think I can achieve both of these interests. Keeping the bees would be my hobby and I will continue to collect knowledge about the bees and beekeeping. It will be great to keep records, take photographs and make sure I am able to work with a mentor that will help me stay on track so I take care of the bees in an appropriate way. I also see this as an opportunity for a money making operation. If the nectar flow is strong next year, and I hope and pray it is, I will plan on selling surplus honey, if there is any. Although I will have to keep my family, friends, and myself from devouring it! Thank you for your time; I am looking forward to being your next NWABA apprentice.
Select comments from Sam's Reference letters
Sam has shown dedication and integrity throughout his academic career.
Sam has learned to manage his time incredibly well.
Sam also has an entrepreneurial spirit.
He is known throughout the school as being the one to contact regarding hunger needs.
... a very honorable, respectful, kind and efficient young man with great work ethics
We are constantly impressed with the way that he responds to opportunities to work and serve others.
He gives a good effort in doing what task he has to do and seems to be quick to learn skills and apply them.
