First Place:

Katherine Eldridge (Bedford Beekeepers)
Isaac Lee (North Central Beekeepers)

Second Place:

Emily Barge (Elkhart Beekeepers)
Morgan Marasch (White Lick Beekeepers)

Third Place:

Aaron Steen (Whitewater Valley Beekeepers)
Grace Russell (Beekeepers)

 

 Katherine Eldridge

Katherine is a homeschooler from Orleans, Indiana.  She currently owns one hive of her own (although she helps maintain thirty of her family’s hives). Katherine is an active member of the Bedford Beekeepers Club.  When school and beekeeping are not keeping her busy, she enjoys sewing, swimming, and taking care of her Brahma bantam chickens.   Along with her love for her chickens, is her family: her father Adrian (the main beekeeper), mother Virginia, and her older siblings Rebecca and James (also previous Young Beekeeper of the Year Award winners).   She is also actively involved with her county’s 4H and Junior Leader programs.   Katherine will continue in the education of beekeeping and simply enjoy the bees God has generously given her. 

Emily Barge

I first started beekeeping when I was 14 years old after talking to Debbie at  the Indiana Beekeepers booth  at the Indiana State Fair, and she told me about the Brent Bidwell Scholarship. I applied and received it! During the past four years of beekeeping I have expanded to three hives, learned from many books and experts, and developed my own honey and lip balm business. My favorite part about beekeeping is going into the community and educating the public on the importance of honey bees and ways they can help keep bees alive. I am so honored and thankful to receive the 2016 2nd Place Young Beekeeper of the Year award, and I am so blessed to be part of a supportive beekeeping club.

Aaron Steen


I have been keeping bees for 4 years, my Grandfather passed down his hives and bees to me.  Currently I have 6 bee hives.  Prior to this, I had chosen beekeeping as a 4-H project, which was where my interest in bee keeping began.  My projects won grand champion at the Henry County Fair and were selected to be entered at the State Fair for the last 5 years.  This year, at the State Fair,  my honey was awarded a blue ribbon and an orange special merit ribbon.  My family hosts a field trip for kindergarteners each year.  At this field trip, I teach the children about bees and their role in the environment.  Have gained several positive values from bee keeping, such as time management, money management, and work ethic. I look at the environment differently after having been involved in bee  keeping.  I now have a better understanding of God’s creation and how bees impact our environment in  endless ways.  The values that I have obtained from bee keeping will be with me for the rest of my life.



Isaac Lee

Isaac is a 13-year-old avid beekeeper who lives in Zionsville Indiana. He began be keeping a little more than a year ago when he met Beekeeper Matt Evans at the Zionsville Farmers market and shared his dream of being a bee keeper.  Under Matt's mentorship, Isaac took care of his hive this summer and harvested more than 40 pounds of honey in this early summer. He sold the honey to neighbors and family. This was a great surprise since his original goal was to simply keep the hive alive for year. In addition to beekeeping, Isaac loves reading, lacrosse, hunting and fishing. He hopes to have two or three hives next in order to expand his business. He currently sells his honey under the label of "Lee Family Honey Bee Haven."

Morgan Marasch

I have been beekeeping for six years. It is an experience that has taught me diligence, persistence, and patience. Beekeeping has forced me to step outside my comfort zone and has given me opportunities to meet and talk to many amazing people. Having a large group like The Beekeepers of Indiana is a great way of promoting beekeeping. I look forward to continue working with this club as well as my local club to support beekeeping.

Grace Russell

I enjoy beekeeping because of all the jobs and opportunities I can get from it.  It was an honor to win the beekeeping award especially since this was my first time entering. 
I've been doing beekeeping since I was about 9 I'm 13 now.  I have 5 hives and am looking forward to getting more!  I also love selling honey. I sold over $1,000 dollars at bridge festival this year.