Journeyman Beekeeper Ted Williamson provides elementary students with insights into the world of Bees at North East Carolina Preparatory.
“These students could be the next parents to teach their children about beekeeping, or even the next inventor that creates a revolutionary hive. Being able to know that I was a part of their journey and a supporter of their passion is rewarding.”
—Ted Williamson
Multiple Roles, One Goal
A father, veteran, Journeyman Beekeeper, and much more. Ted Williamson wears many hats, but at North East Carolina Preparatory’s (NECP) Beekeeping Club, he is inspiring the next generation of FFA members.
Everything began around six years ago. After retiring from service, Williamson, along with his wife, Tara, decided to add to their homestead journey by adding nature’s cutest pollinator, bees. Later, their son became involved with the FFA NECP family, as did Williamson.
After years of managing the beehive at NECP and some discussions with advisors, the NECP Beekeeping Club was born in 2024. The club began with fewer than five members; a year later, it had more than 10 members. Williamson, along with NECP Advisor Anna Kohler, leads the beekeeping practices, which consist of exams and maintaining the bees’ health throughout the year.
NECP FFA beekeeping members inspect a frame from a beehive.
Investing in the future
Williamson embodies the FFA motto, “Living to serve,” not only through the knowledge, hours, or tools he has provided but also through the lives he has affected inside and outside the club.
FFA and NECP Beekeeping Club member Lyra Lindsey shares, “Mr. Williamson has helped me join the local Wilson County Beekeeping Club. Through it, I have been able to become more involved with bees at a community level. I am expanding my SAE in beeswax through the lessons provided in the NECP Beekeeping Club. I hope to become a North Carolina Certified Beekeeper soon!”
Various NECP FFA beekeeping members wear beehive protective gear.
Many members, like Lyra, hope to attain their certification for beekeeping soon, but they will not stop there. One member is currently on the way to maintaining their own beehive. Another plans to raise Royal jelly, a honeybee secretion, soon. Apart from personal projects, the club’s goal is to give back to its community. The NECP Beekeeping Club plans to continue learning under Williamson. They also hope to inspire new incoming members to aid wherever they can.
Journeyman Beekeeper Williamson is in the process of smoking a beehive as part of maintenance.
We Are Better Together
Williamson and the Wilson County Beekeeping Club have helped the NECP Beekeeping Club, from donating a beehive box to invitations to attend monthly meetings with local beekeepers. Williamson shares, “One singular bee that goes out to forage for their hive trusts that every single bee inside that hive will do their job while they are gone. They would not go out to forage without that trust. If humankind could have that exact same trust in each other, what we could achieve is endless.”
