Feb 16, 19 / Pis 19, 03 18:22 UTC
Asgardia Community Lead Programs ¶
Asgardia is a nation full of the most unique, creative individuals. While looking through the forum, I found a post that was critical of the new $100 citizenship fee. I personally don't mind the fee, as the government is now needing to sustain itself without the help of private money, but it got me thinking about ways we can help the government receive funds. While commenting on the post, I was coming up with different ways the Asgardia community can help raise money and I got a good idea. Asgardia programs, not ran by the government, though they can help run or fund them if they wish, but by Asgardia's citizens.
There are lots of possible program people could set up, but I will use my idea as an example.
Program Name: Asgardia Honey Bee Initiative
Purpose: To loan equipment and purchase packages of bees for Asgardia residents and citizens who are interested in making some side income, helping our bees, and helping the Asgardia Government
a). Equipment would be purchased by the Asgardia Honey Bee Initiative Funds, along with the packages of bees. Equipment would be stored at safe storage location. Committee members and other members of the initiative can opt in to offer a secure location to store the Asgardia Honey Bee Initiative assets.
a1). Equipment includes: (prices are estimates, not guaranteed)
Starter Kit:
1. Smoker: $28.95 each
2. Smoker fuel (1/2 lbs. bag): $3.95
3. Protective Suit: $149
4. Protective Gloves: $15.95
5. Leg Straps: $3.95
6. Hive tool: $7.95
7. Frame Grip: $9.95
8. Bee brush: $4.95
9. Frame Perch: $16.95
10. 10 frame moving screen (sometimes needed): $13.95
Live Bees (will require the Asgardia citizen to pick up local honeybees)
1. Package of bees (3lbs.) $179
** If there is another local Asgard beekeeper, we can make a split for free.
For each additional hive:
(Going off two brood chambers and 3 supers)
Brood Chamber (not assembled 10 frame 9 5/8 in.(24.45 cm)) x2:
(mannlake bee supplies has discounts)
x2 $14.95 each ($29.90)
case of 5 $69.75 ($27.90)
36 or more $11.80 each ($23.60)
100 $10.95 each ($21.90)
250 $9.95 ($19.90)
Supers ( not assembled 10 frames 6 5/8 in. (16.83 cm)) x3:
x3 $13.95 each ($41.85)
Case of 5 $64.25 ($38.55)
36 or more $10.50 ($31.50)
100 $9.75 ($29.25)
250 $9.15 (27.45)
Brood Chamber Frame(assembled with foundation 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm)) x20
x20 individual $3.80 each ($76.00)
Box of 10 $34.00 ($68.00)
Box of 20 ($58.00)
Bundle of 5 20 frame boxes $265 ($53.00)
Super Frames(assembled with foundation 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm)) x30
x30 individual $3.80 each ($114.00)
Box of 10 $32.00 each ($96.00)
Box of 20 $56.00 each ($84.00)
Buy 5 boxes of 20 frames $255 ($76.50)
Queen Excluder: $5.65-$7.10
10 frame telescope cover with inner cover $34.50
10 frame migratory top cover $14.5-$15.95
*** Warmer climates without cold winters only need the migratory cover, colder climates need the telescope cover with inner cover.
10 frame bottom board & reducer $15.95
Adjustable Hive stand (optional, I just prop my hives on bricks) $39.50
10 frame pollen trap $75.95
10 frame hive cover (optional, and only applies to cold climates): $29.95
10 frame Mouse Guard (optional depending on location): $4.95
10 frame escape screen (used to clear out bees from supers): $14.5-15.25
10 frame propolis trap (only if you want to sell propolis): $5.25-$6.25
10 frame entrance Guard with excluder (to prevent swarming in Spring) $6
Gloss oil paint (1 gallon (3.78 l)): $32.95 (used to paint the boxes)
Extraction Equipment
*** Extractors can be shared by local Asgard beekeepers
2 frame plastic extractor: $159.95
5 gallon (18.92 l) pail with honey gate and filter set: $45.95
5 gallon (18.92 l) pail with honey gate $29.95 x2 ($59.90)
Uncapping Scratcher: $6.95
Electric Uncapping Knife: $89.95
Honey Bottles (Individual purchases)
Bottle labels (Individual purchases)
**Wax harvesting I am not familiar with, so I don't know the equipment needed.
** There are lots of medications for honeybees. But regulations and medications needed would vary by location on Earth.
Cost for Starting one Asgardia Beekeeper (Start cost and one hive with extraction equipment): $986.4 - $1,327.35
Cost for each additional hive: $342.35 - $458.35
b). Income From Hives
Average Honey Production: 25-80 lbs. (11.3-36.3 kg)
Pollen Collection: 10-15 lbs. (4.5-6.8 kg)
Wax Collection: 2-5 lbs. from capping (0.91-2.3 kg)
nuc (4-5 frame split of a colony you can sell):1-2/year
Honey per pound: $5-$8 --> $125-$640
Pollen per pound: $10-$25 --> $100-$375
Wax per pound: $10-$12 --> $20-$60
Nuc. $85-$190 --> $85-$380
Total: $330-$1,455
c). Asgardia Honeybee Initiative would then take a % of the profit.
15% --> $49.50-$218.25
25% --> $82.50-$363.75
30% --> $99-$436.50
35% --> $115.50-$509.25
40% --> $132-$582.00
45% --> $148.5-$654.75
50% --> $165-$727.50
d). A annual fee is also possible to pay for damages of equipment and poor production years. A $20 to $50 annual fee would be reasonable for each hive. People who are opted into storing equipment would be exempt from the fee, and can have a lower % of their profit taken.
e). The Asgardia Honeybee Initiative would keep a percent of the funds received to grow and maintain current operations. The rest of the funds would be transferred to the Asgardia government.
f). Educational programs would be required to teach new beekeepers how to keep bees. We would have a committee of master beekeepers which could help design the online educational program. Non-Asgardia residents/citizens can also participate in the program, but they would have to pay.
g). Initial funding required would be around $19,000 which would allow equipment for 10 beekeepers to start, and enough funds for 15 extra colonies for people wanting more than one. This also has $3,000 included to develop the educational program and to set up the committee which would operate the Asgardia Honeybee Initiative. (of course, these aren't finalized numbers, just an idea of the estimated cost.)
Would this be something anyone would be interested in? If we have enough people interested in starting this, we can get together and go into more details and communicate with the Asgardia government for permission, and possible funding. If so, contact me on the Asgardia site, or email me at kylerbernritter@gmail.com