POSTPONED due to Coronavirus precautions. When it is safe again to meet in large groups , we will research potential dates to reschedule the class. We will reach out to all enrolled students when any news is avail.
To put your name on a WAITLIST for a future class... CLICK HERE.
- WHAT:
- 3-Day Beginner Beekeeping Class
- FORMAT:
- 13 hours of classroom, presented on 2 consecutive Saturdays, PLUS a 3rd day of instruction in an outdoor apiary
- WHEN:
- Day 1 is Saturday March 14 9:00AM to 3:30PM
- Day 2 is Saturday March 21, 9:00AM to 3:30PM
- Day 3 is the Field Day March 28th. It requires advance signup to reserve your spot. Enrolled students can scroll down to signup for a specific session on March 28. (you will only see the signup link if you are both logged in and enrolled in the class)
- WHERE:
- Days 1 & 2 - Indoor classroom at St. Bartholomew's Church, Main Hall, 6900 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 * Park in back, Enter in back - See Maps at bottom of this page
- Day 3 - Outdoor field instruction: Location TBA, possibly at Brookside Nature Center (click for directions) 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 (location subject to change)
- $90 TUITION INCLUDES:
- 1 student enrollment in the 3-Day course (must be an MCBA member in good standing - but that's just $21 for a whole year! Join HERE)
- 1 copy of "The Beekeepers Handbook" by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile ($21 value)
- 1 note pad and MCBA folder
- 1 hive tool
- Lunch, Light snacks and beverages on days 1 and 2
WANT TO BE A BEEKEEPER?
You’ll be taking on the earnest responsibility of caring for 10’s of thousands of honey bees. Beekeepers must monitor their bees’ wellbeing. They make sure bees have the things the colony needs to thrive (including food, water, shelter, and a viable bee community), and that the colony isn't suffering from things that cause honey bees harm or death -- (including parasites, diseases, and invaders that want to rob them).
IT IS A YEAR ROUND COMMITMENT.
SPRING requires frequent inspections of the inside of the hive. You’ll check if they need food, and you’ll help the colony if it gets too big or too small. Spring is the only time in our area when bees make excess honey, so you need to be ready to enlarge their hive as they run out of storage space. However, the number one thing to do in early spring is treat for mites
SUMMER requires inspections every two or three weeks. You won't harvest honey your first year, but keep feeding your bees. The food they store now has to last them till next spring. In our area, very few blossoms produce appreciable nectar after June. In late July / early August it is important to treat for mites again, because the mite population will be peaking. Treating for mites ensures the bees are strong and healthy as they start producing the generation of bees that will tough-out the winter. No treatment successfully kills all the mites, and new mites arrive all the time, so treating is an ongoing effort.
FALL is your last chance to ensure the hive is arranged and stocked to survive winter.
WINTER doesn’t require regular inspections - opening the hive chills the baby bees. On a warmish day late in winter you might sneak a peek to see if they have food. Mostly, use winter to plan for the busy spring, and learn new things about caring for bees.
WHERE DO YOU START?
Montgomery County Beekeepers Association is offering a THREE DAY introduction to beekeeping course. Days 1 and 2 are at an indoor classroom. Day 3 is a Field Day, outside in an apiary (date TBD).
The class teaches the beginner beekeeping skills needed to establish, maintain and protect a honey bee colony.
The only prerequisites are being an MCBA member and having an interest in learning about beekeeping. There is a lot to learn, but remember: bees have trained beekeepers for thousands of years, and they have gotten good at it.
Ξ Please Note
- You must be an MCBA member to enroll in this Beekeeping Class.
- Membership in MCBA does not guarantee a seat in the class. Enrollment is limited to 50 students, and does fill up.
- Tuition is NON-REFUNDABLE. However, with teacher approval, you are permitted to sell your seat to another qualified MCBA member for up to full face value.
- Each participant must register separately. (i.e. It is not possible to purchase two seats in the same transaction.)
- Only registered participants may attend.
- Be sure you have joined our free ListServ to receive notifications.
Textbook is included with the course.
The Beekeeper’s Handbook (4th Edition)
Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile
.
Ξ To Enroll
Remember:
- Enrollment is limited to the first 50 members to complete enrollment
- Each participant must register separately. (i.e. It is not possible to purchase two seats in the same transaction.)
- Only registered participants may attend.
- You must be LOGGED IN to register.
You are not currently logged in. Please login and return to this page to see the class enrollment form. Thanks!
Syllabus for "Beekeeping Class for Beginners"
Field Days
Field days give new beekeepers hands on mentoring with an experienced beekeeper in the club’s bee yard at Brookside Nature Center (Different location than the indoor class!) Dates for field days will be determined based on weather. All field days will be announced in advance via the MCBA ListServ.
Additional Field Days & Mentoring
MCBA sponsors free Hands-On Hive management demonstrations throughout the Spring and Summer at Brookside Nature Center. To receive emailed updates on demonstration topics, dates, and times, join the MCBA Listserv.
Resources
Additional Reading
- Our Website! www.MontgomeryCountyBeekeepers.com
- Backyard Beekeeper – author Kim Flottum
- Top-Bar Hive Beekeeping: Wisdom and Pleasure Combined – author Wyatt A. Mangum
Bee Magazines
Beekeeper Equipment Suppliers
- Maryland Honey Company (Gaithersburg)
- Mann Lake (Mail order)
- Kelley Beekeeping (Mail order)
- Dadant (Mail order)
- BetterBee (Mail order)
MAP OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW's PARKING AND ENTRANCE
