The bees are buzzing in hives that students, faculty, staff and alumni installed at the Bellarmine Farm behind Allen Hall this past summer. The hives will increase biodiversity on campus and provide research and experiential learning opportunities for students.   

“ Bees play such a critical role in our ecosystem, and this a great opportunity for students to see that firsthand,” said Dr. Jessica Hume, assistant professor of Health Services at Bellarmine.  

Hume’s family owns Beckham’s Bell Farms, an apiary in Anderson County. She donated and helped install a “nuc,” which consists of several established frames of bee brood, honey and a queen. Brooke Gibbons ’17 and Cody Gibbons ’17, who operate the Gibbons Family Farm in Larue County, donated a second nuc.   

  The bee initiative was begun last year by Hanah Carter, an Environmental Science major who has worked with beehives as a volunteer naturalist at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Hanah is president of Bellarmine’s new Beekeeping Club.