
UMaine Extension offers beginner and intermediate beekeeping courses in February
Falmouth, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County is offering its annual series of beekeeping workshops with sessions available for beginners and experienced keepers starting the first week of February at the UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth.
The four-week beginners’ course will teach new beekeepers the basics of honeybee biology and beekeeping. The course is designed for those considering buying their first hives and those with 1-2 years of experience who want to enhance their skills and knowledge and learn evidence-based approaches to beekeeping. The course, taught by experienced EAS certified Master Beekeeper Jacky Hildreth and Master Beekeeper in training Lindy Allen, will be held 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, February 6 through March 6 with a snow date of March 13.
The four-week intermediate beekeeping course is designed to help those with two or more years of experience get to the next level of apiary management. This course focuses on sustainable techniques and strategies that work with the bee’s natural instincts while still incorporating the beekeeper’s goals for success. The course will dive deeper into topics including seasonal colony management, queens and queen rearing, swarm management, apiary development, colony and apiary health, harvest, and production of items for sale. The course is taught by experienced EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Erin Evans and will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, February 4 through March 4, with a snow date of March 11.
Registration fees range from $125 to $220 for the beginner class and $160 to $270 for the intermediate class based on single registration or a double household registration. Fees for both classes include a textbook and additional supplies are included for the intermediate beekeeping class.
Visit the program webpage to learn more and register. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jason Lilley, jason.lilley@maine.edu; 207.781.6099.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
As a trusted resource for over 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.