- CLICK HERE to register online for the January 2025 Bee Class for Beginners.
- CLICK HERE for the 2025 Bee Class info sheet (PDF).
- Complete the below form to be placed on an email list to receive future course notifications.
Please complete the below form to be notified of future course offerings.
Typical Course Program
Day 1
9:00– 9:10 Welcome by FCBA President/Introduction of FCBA members
9:10 – 9:20 Overview of the 2015 course
9:20 – 10:15 Biology of the European Honey Bee
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:00 The Langstroth Hive
11:00 – 11:45 Tools and Equipment for Beekeeping
11:45 – 12:00 Q & A
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 How to Choose an Apiary Site
1:30 – 2:00 Getting Bees into your Hive: nucs and packages
2:00 – 2:30 Getting Bees into your Hive: catching swarms
2:30 – 2:45 My first year as a beekeeper
2:45 – 3:00 Q & A
Day 2
9:00 – 9:15 Review and Questions
9:15 – 10:15 The Beekeeping Year: Spring and Summer
10:15 – 10:30 Break/Vendors
10:30 – 11:30 The Beekeeping Year: Fall and Preparing for Winter
11:30 – 11:45 Intermezzo – Other buzzing insects
11:45 – 12:00 Q & A
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch/Vendors
1:00 – 1:30 Feeding Bees: Spring, Fall and Winter
1:30 – 2:30 Demo/Hands-on assembly of Hive Woodenware
2:30 – 3:00 Q & A
Day 3
9:00 – 9:15 Review and Questions
9:15 – 10:15 Pests and Diseases of Honey Bees, Integrated Pest Management
10:15 – 10:30 Break/Vendors
10:30 – 10:45 Getting Ready for Field Day/Mentor Map
10:45 – 12:00 Harvesting Honey, Wax and Products of the Hive
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 Intermezzo: My first year as a beekeeper
1:30 – 2:30 Hands on stations: Woodenware, Hive Inspection Basics, Lighting a Smoker, Installing Packages
2:30 – 3:00 Discuss April Field Day, Raffle & Closing