Catskill Mountain Beekeeping Club is offering an essay contest to students attending Greene County schools in honor of one of its founding members, Dick Johnson, who died recently. Johnson was devoted to the club and was actively involved in educating the public about importance of the honeybee.

The topic of the essay this year will be “The importance of the honeybee to agriculture and the environment.” The essay must be no longer than 500 words.

The winning contestant will receive: One three-pound package of honeybees with mated queen, a complete beginner’s kit (both donated by Hudson Valley Bee Supply of Kingston, New York), a one-year family membership to the Catskill Mountain Beekeepers Club, and a year’s subscription to Bee Culture magazine.

The winner will also be assigned a mentor to assist with the first year of this beekeeping project.

The deadline for applications is April 1. Submit essays by email to: heidianderich@gmail.com. Along with the essay, applicants must include: school attended, grade, age, address, and phone number.

For further information, go to the club website at catskillbees.org or to the club’s facebook page.