A 2 day series to prepare you to be a successful beginning beekeeper. The lecture is a prerequisite for taking the apiary class.

This is a series: one class of lecture and one class of hands-on apiary exploration. You must take the lecture class to take the apiary class. Personal protective gear is required for the hands-on portion of this class.

Part One:
Lecture March 29 6-8pm Park Hall Ben Lomond

Topics to be covered:

• Equipment selection
• Material needs
• Time commitments and expectations
• Hive Placement
• Basics of care
• Bee Breed & New Colony Options
• Biology and life cycle
• Feeding
• Mite and Pest Management

6-8 pm at Park Hall in Ben Lomond.

Part Two:
Apiary 4/12 
Hands-on in the apiary and hive exploration.

Personal protective gear is required.

Topics to be covered:

• Understanding the ‘when and why’ of hive inspections
• External hive inspection
• Internal hive inspection
  • Royal Court Identification
  • Brood Life Cycles
  • Assessment of available food
  • Assessment of colony strength and health
• Feeding demonstration
• Package introduction
• Nuc introduction
• First six weeks of new colony care
• Lighting a smoker and keeping it lit

Apiary Class will be held from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Please bring water and a snack if you want. Wear light-colored clothing and sturdy close-toed shoes or boots.

Apiary classes are warm weather dependent. In case of rain, those days will be rescheduled. Students will be notified by email of any changes.

Apiary days are in extremely high demand and space is very limited. Refunds on classes will not be given without 72 hours notice.