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Beginning Beekeeping is NOT for Dummies! Class- Session added

Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:08 pm
by kristinahoney
Spring 2018
Beginning Beekeeping is NOT for Dummies!


What makes this class better than others?
  • There's a hands on apiary session with real live bees!
  • I've been working with bees and students for over 35 years and have a solid background in both.
  • I stay up to date. I try new things, talk to other beekeepers and researchers, attend meetings, and read bee trade and scientific journals.
  • I work with new beekeepers up and down the Front Range and I'm familiar with their ups and downs.


The focus of the class will be understanding bees and beekeeping in Colorado so that you'll have a scaffold on which to hang new information and a foundation for evaluation and problem solving. I want to get you and your bees through the first year and point you toward what you'll need for years 2-5. Here are the topics we'll cover with opportunities for questions:
  • Bee biology - worker-queen-drone development, functions, nutrition, genetics, behavior
  • Apiary setup
  • Equipment for you and your bees
  • Starting with a package, nuc, swarm
  • How to work with your bees
  • Pests, predators, parasites, diseases common to Colorado
  • VARROA mites
  • You and your bees through the seasons in Colorado
In addition, as part of the class, we'll have a HANDS ON APIARY SESSION at my house in spring when the weather is good for working bees.
**This class will be especially helpful for those who have lost their bees and want to try again.**
**Package bee and nuc suppliers are requesting that customers take a beginning beekeeping course and some are requiring it before supplying bees!**
The cost will be $120. When payment is received, your place will be reserved. Please let me know which date(s) you plan to attend. Class size will be limited to 15, and we'll split into smaller groups for the hands-on session. If fewer than 4 are registered for a session, it may be cancelled.
You may mix and match morning and afternoon dates, but you MUST sign up for one of each, and I highly recommend morning first and afternoon second. You can break it up or do it all in one day.
  • Saturday 27 Jan 8:30am-12:30pm; 1:30pm-5:30pm
  • Sunday 4 Feb 8:30am-12:30pm; 1:30pm-5:30pm
  • Sunday 11 Feb 8:30am-12:30pm; 1:30pm-5:30pm
  • Saturday 3 Mar 8:30am-12:30pm; 1:30pm-5:30pm
  • Saturday 10 Mar 8:30am-12:30pm; 1:30pm-5:30pm
Classes will be held at my house, 960 Ithaca Dr, Boulder, CO 80305 To register, just email me. For the schedule and dates, please visit my website, below.
The book we'll use is The Beekeeper's Handbook by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile 4th ed. To Bee or not to Bee in Littleton has it in stock. Make sure it's the 4th edition. It's a great book to have in any case.
Feel free to email, call, or text if you have questions. I'm looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of you this spring!
Cheers,
Kristina Williams
Beehave LLC, mentoring and support or bees and their keepers
Boulder, CO
720-278-6872
https://sites.google.com/view/beehavementoring