2024 Beginner Class Schedule

2024 Beginner Class Schedule

All sessions will be in the auditorium.

2/4– Session 1: 10am - 1 pm
- Equipment needs / season overview / bee biology
- The organization of the hive: Life cycles and jobs
- Hive Setup Options: Langstroth, Top Bar, Warre and Flow Hives
- Feeders and feeding techniques

3/10 – Session 2: 10am - 1 pm
- Varroa Mites
  - Biology of the Varroa Mite
  - Developing your Varroa Strategy
  - Varroa Management Tools & Techniques
  - Honey Tasting

3/16 – Build Day in the Head House/Greenhouse (note that this is a Saturday) 10am-4pm

4/7 – Session 3: 10am - 1 pm
- Package Bees and Nucs: Installing your bees
- Working at “Bee Speed”: Basic techniques for working your hive
- Making your hive their home

5/5 – Session 4: 10am - 1 pm
- Pests and Pathogens
  - Small Hive Beetles, Wax Moths
  - The importance of Hive Strength
- Reading the Frames
- Comb Production: The Currency of the Hive
- 12pm - 1pm, hands on in the bee yard

6/9 – Session 5: 10am - 1 pm at the Head House/Greenhouse
- Honey Plants, Trees and Crops
- Supering Techniques: What, why and when
- 12pm - 1pm, hands on in the bee yard

7/7 – Session 6: 10am - 1 pm
- Making Late Season Splits
- Honey Harvesting: Timing, Techniques and Tools
- 12pm - 1pm, hands on in the bee yard

8/11 – Session 7: 10am - 1 pm
- Fall Management / Disease Control / Combining Hives
- 12pm - 1pm, hands on in the bee yard

9/15 – Session 8: 10am - 1 pm
- Fall Management / Preparing for Winter
  - Three things to protect your bees against in winter
  - Winterizing prep and techniques
  - Signs of a strong hive ready for winter
  - 12pm - 1pm, hands on in the bee yard

10/6 – Session 9: 10am - 1 pm
- Winter Management
  - Timing
  - Bees in winter
  - Early Feeding
  - Preparing for spring