Introduction to Beekeeping Course

Wednesdays, February 7 through March 27, 2024 (eight sessions)
Snow dates: April 3 & 10, 2024
6:00-7:30 p.m.
University of Maine at Machias, 116 O’Brien Avenue, Machias, ME
Science Building, Room 102
$75.00 per person (per couple if willing to share materials)

Registration is now closed. Please reach out Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu or 207.255.3345 to be contacted about future programs.

Learn the basics of keeping honey bees in the traditional Langstroth bee hive, from hive construction to honey bee behavior and honey production, with our expert instructor.

Text Book (included in course fee): Simple Smart Beekeeping by Kirsten S. Traynor, PhD & Michael J. Traynor

Questions about the course may be addressed to Andrew Dewey at email andrew@beeberrywoods.com or call 207.266.7294.

Tentative Schedule
(classes are roughly 1 1⁄2 hours each)

Class 1 – Course Overview, History of Beekeeping, Terms to know

Class 2 – Basic Bee Biology, Where to Get Bees and Equipment, Resources

Class 3 – Selecting a site, Installing Bees, Inspections

Class 4 – Healthy hive, Adding additional brood box, Honey Supering

Class 5 – Harvesting Honey (& other hive products)

Class 6 – Preparing for Winter

Class 7 – State Apiarist presentation on Honey Bee Pests and Diseases (2 hours)

Class 8 – Preparing for spring – Swarming!