On Saturday, November 9, 2024 the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA), partnered with the Washington State Beekeepers Association for a very special class focusing on Kitsap County Pollinators & the Basics of Pollination. This event took place from 2-5pm at Tracyton United Methodist Church in Bremerton, WA.

Sandy Fanara taught this class. Sandy is a Certified Master Beekeeper through Washington State Beekeepers Association and Master Beekeepers of Washington State. In this class, Sandy led students through the basics of flowering plant history, the biology of pollinators and their co-evolution with flowering plants. She focused on Kitsap County-specific pollinators and their modes of pollination, as well as action plans for encouraging pollinator abundance and variety on Small Farms.

Since 2010, Sandy has taught beekeeping classes and provided pollinator support in Washington Beekeeping clubs, five Western Washington prisons, and a variety of agricultural clubs. She serves on the Washington State Beekeepers Association Education Committee and is dedicated to curriculum and teacher development. The KCAA was thrilled to partnering with Sandy and the WA S.B.A to bring this FREE class to our community.

Each registered attendee received a free gift to take home and coffee, snacks and refreshments were provided by the KCAA.

** This event was part of a social networking and educational series for Kitsap farmers, producers and homesteaders - supported by the Russell Family Foundation Food for Climate Solutions Grant. This class is one part of an in-person series of social networking events offered by the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA), with support from WSU Kitsap Extension. These networking opportunities will run from May through January 2025 with the goal of bringing Kitsap Farmers together to network, build community, create new business connections and friendships, and provide education and mentoring opportunities. The events will give farmers in Kitsap a venue for peer-to-peer discussion, and encourage them to become more connected as a farming community.