UMaine Extension Offers Beekeeping Course

A five-session University of Maine Cooperative Extension beginning beekeeping course starts 6:30–8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the UMaine Extension Washington County office, 28 Center St., Machias.

Master Beekeeper Andrew Dewey will teach the course, which will be held Thursday nights, except for March 19, through April 2. The course also will be available remotely at Washington County Community College, 1 College Drive, Calais.

Course topics include the honeybee colony, constructing hives, seasonal management, pests and diseases and honey production. Students will visit a local hive for observation and hands-on experience during a field lab. Class graduates will become members of the Washington County Beekeepers, a chapter of the Maine State Beekeepers Association.

Course fee is $60 per person or per couple to help cover the cost of materials. Class size is limited to 15 people in Machias and 10 in Calais. Thursday, Feb. 19 is the registration deadline. To register, and for more information, visit or email tara.a.wood@maine.edu. To request a disability accommodation, call 800.287.1542 (in state) or 207.255.3345.