Manual for Trainers of Small Scale Beekeeping Development Workers (Peace Corps, 1983, 392 p.): Session 40: Beeswax field trip

Manual for Trainers of Small Scale Beekeeping Development Workers (Peace Corps, 1983, 392 p.)

		(introduction...)
		Preface
		Acknowledgments
		Introduction
		Session 1: Establishing observation hives - group resource assessment
		Session 2: Introduction to family live-in
		Session 3: Training site investigation
		Session 4: Defining expectations
		Session 5: Assembling protective clothing
		Session 6: Constructing KTBH's and preparing the apiary site
		Session 7: Bee colony cycle - introduction to Trainee facilitation
		Session 8: adult learning and an introduction to method demonstrations - basic insect anatomy
		Session 9: Communication and listening skills
		Session 10: Establishing individual nucs
		Session 11: Functional biology of the honey bee
		Session 12: Introduction to assessment and selection
		Session 13: Introduction to program evaluation
		Session 14: Bee management techniques
		Session 15: Basic nutrition
		Session 16: Types of bees and the bee-human relationship
		SESSION 17: Foraging
		Session 18: Hive design criteria and swarm boxes
		Session 19: Role of the volunteer in development
		Session 20: The bee space and types of hives
		Session 21: Obtaining bees
		Session 22: Transferring colonies
		Session 23: Family live-in analysis
		Session 24: Queen rearing
		Session 25: Health and hygiene
		Session 26: Swarming, supersedure and absconding
		Session 27: Culture shock
		Session 28: Constructing a swarm board and swarms
		Session 29: Visual aids-queen rearing preparation
		Handout 29A: Selecting communication tools
		Handout 29B: Visual aids
		Session 30: Extractors and solar wax melters
		Session 31: Women in development-the role of men and women
		Session 32: Mid-program evaluation
		Session 33: Melliferous plants
		Session 34: Preparation for site visit-information gathering
		Session 35: Site visit-follow-up and cloncusions
		Session 36: Honey
		Session 37: Other hive products
		Session 38: Anaphylactic shock
		Session 39: Introduction to the bee fair
		Session 40: Beeswax field trip
		Session 41: Bees and trees
		Session 42: Project planning and development
		Session 43: Creamed honey and beeswax products
		Session 44: Introduction to final assessment
		Session 45: Cost analysis and project evaluation
		Session 46: Bee diseases and pests
		Session 47: Insecticides and bees
		Session 48: Cooking with honey
		Session 49: Introducing innovation-expectations beyond training
		Session 50: Future training needs
		Session 51: Site restitution
		Session 52: Final program evaluation
		Appendices

Session 40: Beeswax field trip

TOTAL TIME

4 hours

OVERVIEW

Beeswax has many commercial uses. An understanding of the commercial potential of beeswax enhances one's knowledge concerning the marketing and the value of this hive product. This session provides the Trainees with the opportunity to observe both a use of beeswax and a local business. It provides technical information while giving the Trainees a chance to develop cross-cultural skills.

OBJECTIVES

· To observe a commercial use for beeswax.

· To observe a local business.

· To observe a traditional craft that uses beeswax (Africa).

· To interact with a commercial supplier of the local beekeeping industry (Inter-America).

RESOURCES

- Small Scale Beekeeping, pp. 127-130, 207-209.

- The Hive and the Honey Bee, pp. 537-545.

- Beekeeping in Rural Developments, pp. 185189.

PROCEDURES

Trainer Note

· This session requires considerable advance preparation. Arrangements include: locating the shop to be visited, discussing details with the proprietor and obtaining transportation.

· In the African region, a trip to a cloth batiking shop, or to a lost-wax metal casting shop may be possible. In the Inter-American region, a trip to a shop where comb foundation is made is suggested.

· Note that Session 41, "Bees and Trees" is also a field trip and has been scheduled for the same day so that the same transportation may be used.

Step 1: Field Trip (4 hours)

Take a field trip to observe a commercial use for beeswax. While en route, discuss with the Trainees the objectives for this field trip and how to best meet these objectives.

Once at the destination, assist the Trainees in interviewing the proprietor of the operation. Points to consider are:

- source of the beeswax used,
- quality standards and control,
- procedures used,
- cost of materials,
- markets available for products,
- problems in marketing and
- price of finished products.

After leaving, review with the Trainees:

- any important technical insights which occurred,
- any important cross-cultural insights which occurred and
- any conditions which were observed that might limit beekeeping/agricultural development.