Who We Are

Our Mission: Spreading the wonder of honey bees. Edenculture/Youth Bee Works is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization with a mission that seeks to educate, train, and bring awareness to people of all ages, especially youth, on the importance of honey bees and and how they are essential to our environment and food industry.  To achieve this we partner with a wide area of schools, organizations and businesses in setting up and maintaining beehives and providing educational classes. These hives provide awareness, a visual training ground, and help the environment by increasing pollinators. 
 
Honey Bee Sanctuary Initiative
​Youth Bee Works was recently gifted with land and is in the process of developing it as a honey bee sanctuary, where environmental hands on learning can occur for the youth. In this sanctuary it is our hope that students can witness pollination of fruits vegetables and herbs and understand that link from the bees to our grocery the store. Our garden program dovetails with honeybees perfectly and is also underway as this sanctuary is being developed. 

       

Our History

Youth Bee Works was founded in 2011 and then later incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Edenculture EIN: 83-2788025 is our official name and Youth Bee Works is our program name. This incorporation was in response to the environmental crisis and honey bee plight that our world is in today. Founder and President, Justin Sofio began bee education programs in 2011 in both Chicago and Ireland. In late summer of 2015 he moved back to the Tri state area of OH, WV, PA and soon after met and married his true love, Debra Reilly, from Uniontown, PA. He saw a need for honey bee education and advancing awareness of the plight of the honey bee. Thanks to the support of many individuals, Youth Bee Works has been a success in education and honey bee conservation. We hope to continue spreading the wonder of honey bees for many years to come!   

Headquarters
Official headquarters are based out of Toronto, OH. While our focus is Ohio, we are active in the surrounding communities of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

Programs and hive management are currently being held in the tri- state area of OH, PA and WV. 

Youth Bee Works is served by a board of directors and volunteers. We rely on our hive sponsorships, the sale of honey and donations. Your help is always appreciated.  
​