We will cover the basic techniques of “organic” beekeeping, including materials and equipment, beehive structure, the life cycle of bees, hive development and dynamics, seasonal apiary work, honey and hive products, common pests and diseases, and organic hive management “organic” hive management (with an emphasis on treatment-free and ecologically-friendly management techniques). We will taste local and varietal honeys, and learn about harvesting and using bee products. You will learn everything you need to know to set up your own backyard apiary!
DATE & TIME: Six consecutive Thursday evenings, January 22rd – February 26th, 7:30pm – 9:00pm. There will also be a hands-on field date in April, date TBD.
Space is limited! Register today! Pre-registration required.
Cost: $165
** COURSE FEE INCLUDES A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP ON A DATE TBD IN APRIL
Course books will be provided on the day of the class, for an additional $12
Course instructors: Stephanie Elson and Sadie Richards are on the Steering Committee of the Boston Area Beekeepers Association (www.bostonbeekeepers.org), and organizers of the Tour de Hives (an annual bike tour of Boston’s urban apiaries). Together with other area beekeepers, they operate a ‘Teaching Apiary’ at the Boston Nature Center. Stephanie has been keeping bees for 6 years. She runs The Benevolent Bee (www.thebenevolentbee.com), a local business selling honey, candles, and other handcrafted bee products. Sadie is a 5th year beekeeper. She keeps her bees at the Leland Street Community Garden, at the Boston Nature Center, and at her home in Melrose, MA. She is on the Board of Classroom Hives (www.classroomhives.org), an organization that has been placing observation hives in classrooms in the Boston area since 2001. Guest lecturers will also visit the class on occasion. Both Stephanie and Sadie trained in beekeeping under local organic beekeeper, Jean-Claude Bourrut.