RVBA Educators Scholarship

The Raritan Valley Beekeepers Association invites local educators to apply for the Educators Memorial Scholarship to our 2026 Beginner Beekeeping Short Course.  

The Scholarship was established in memory of past RVBA members Christine Miller (1964-2024) and Thomas Sadlowski (1945-2024). Chris and Tom were long-time beekeepers and members of RVBA.  They were both active in club outreach and in mentoring new and intermediate beekeepers. Chris was co-founder of the annual RVBA Beginner Beekeeping Course and founder of the RVBA Apiary.  Tom, a career educator, designed our club logo and was a regular presenter at club meetings. 

Our scholarship is open to teachers of preschool through community college as well as 4-H leaders, Scout leaders and FFA advisors.  Applicants need not have beekeeping experience, but must have a genuine interest in beekeeping and the intention of sharing, through professional or structured volunteer activities, what they learn in this course. The full scholarship of $140.00 covers class tuition, textbook, and handouts.  Completion of this course fulfills the requirement for beekeeper education in the NJ State Beekeeping Regulations.  The recipient will receive a certificate of completion after attending all three course days (2 full classroom days and ½ hands-on field day in the club apiary). 

It is our hope that the recipient of the scholarship will join the New Jersey Beekeepers Association and continue their beekeeping education through attendance at local bee club meetings.  If the recipient wishes to keep bees, but is not able to do so on their own, they may choose to assist in the RVBA club apiary or work with other beekeepers.

Application for the 2025 class must be submitted via email by Friday, February 14, 2025.

Application Requirements:

1. You may email your application for the 2025 RVBA Educators Scholarship to: 

Adele Barree, beestuff53@gmail.com. Please include the following information:

• Your contact information (name, phone, email, address)

• For teachers : School of employment and grade(s) currently teaching

• For Volunteers : 4-H Club (include County and club project), Scouts (include County and Council), FFA Program (include school district)

• Personal beekeeping experience and plans (if any - not required)

• Please include in your application the following:

  • What you see as the importance of managed honey bees in New Jersey agriculture and the environment.

  • How you plan to incorporate information about honey bees and beekeeping into your course curriculum or volunteer program.

2. Please provide the name, phone number and email of one fellow teacher,  4-H leader, Scout leader or FFA advisor whom we may contact for a reference.

3. Please indicate the best way to reach you (phone or email) if we have any follow-up questions. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at beestuff53@gmail.com.

Thank you for your interest in the RVBA Beginner Beekeeping Course!

** All information included in your scholarship application will be kept strictly confidential and not shared with any person, business or organization other than the  RVBA Scholarship Committee for scholarship evaluation only..**