We all love pollinators, right? Nooga Queen Bee (NQB) is a new non-profit dedicated to bringing education and experience about beekeeping to women and minority Chattanoogans. And it’s doing it through a piece of property in Red Bank (yes, Red Bank is Chattanooga too) and on YouTube so anyone can access content. Why did NQB come about? Well, did you know beekeeping is a male dominated field? Founder, Carmen Joyce, wanted to provide a space designed to overcome barriers to entry in the field through outreach and education. Carmen also outline that beekeeping can be a road to personal growth and enrichment and in practical terms it can become a way to sustain oneself through lucrative work whether it be honey sales, nuc sales, mentorship, or queen rearing. It will provide a space for female/minority beekeepers to learn and grow, become mentors, and gain confidence in the field.
How are we helping? $1,600 from our December 2021 grant pool will buy necessities like frames, smokers and gloves amongst much more.