By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

The community has been buzzing about the Alabama Cooperative Extension’s introduction to beekeeping workshop.

Beekeeping takes a lot of commitment and can be a really rewarding and exciting task, according to regional extension agent and beekeeper Jack Rowe.

Rowe will teach the two-hour workshop on April 10 at 6 p.m. at the Central Alabama Farmer’s Co-Op, located on U.S. Highway 80 West. He will provide an extensive overview of the basics for beginners, and will be covering the pros and cons of having bees.

Bees provide natural honey, beeswax and the propolis that’s used in medicine. Bee wax can be used to make things such as soaps and candles.

Rowe said having honeybees can be beneficial for flowers because they are true to the plants and flowers they get nectar from.

“The bees will repeatedly go back to those flowers ensuring pollination,” he said.

As a part of the annual beekeeping symposium in Clanton, Rowe has noticed that beekeeping is becoming more popular each year, and as a result, the attendance to the symposium has risen tremendously.

However, even with the increasing popularity, Rowe encourages people to consider if this is a task they are willing to commit their time and efforts to.

“This is animal husbandry,” he said “It’s not ‘oh we have bugs in the backyard’ they will need attending to.”

Rowe said during the workshop he plans to explain that this hobby can be quite expensive and there is a lot of knowledge that has to go into it.

“You need to read, you need to work with other beekeepers, you need to learn the skills,” he said.

The cost for the workshop is $10, and a meal will be provided. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact the Dallas County Extension office at (334) 875-3200.