Educational Programs - Introduction to Beekeeping Course
As of January 15, 2013, registration is full for this course. Please contact Tara Wood at 207-255-3345 to be put on a waiting list. Thank you.
Presented by:
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Washington County Office and Andrew Dewey, Maine State Beekeepers Association
Photo by Scott Bauer.
When:
February 26, March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26 (snow date April 5), and a Beekeepers Field Day on a Saturday in May or June to be announced.
This 6-session class will take place Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
Where:
Washington County Extension Office
28 Center Street
Machias, ME 04654
255.3345
Cost:
The course fee is $50.00 per person/couple.
Course is limited to 15 people.
Registration deadline- Monday, February 11, 2013
Instructor: Andrew Dewey, Hobby Beekeeper and At-Large Board Member of the Maine State Beekeepers Association
Coordinators: Andrew Dewey, 266-7294 and Marjorie Peronto, UMCE
Text: The Beekeeper’s Handbook (4th edition) by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile
Session Topics and Dates:
Session #1 – Tuesday, February 26, 2013
- What is A Honey Bee Colony? (And how did it get into that box in my back yard?)
- Hive Inspections
- An overview of a year in the bee yard
Session # 2 – Tuesday, March 5, 2013
- Bee Biology
- Gathering & Assembling Equipment
- Support for new beekeepers
Session # 3 – Tuesday, March 12, 2013
- Spring and Summer Management
- Swarming / Splitting
- Honey Production
Session #4 – Tuesday, March 19, 2013
- Fall and Winter Management
- Preparing Hives for winter
Session #5 – Tuesday, March 26, 2013
- Identification and Control of Diseases, Parasites and Predators of Honey Bees
Session #6 – Beekeepers’ Field Day
Look inside a hive and see the difference between workers and drones, learn to recognize brood, pollen and honey. The date and site for this session will be announced and will take place on a Saturday in May or June. Participants will gather for a hands-on experience of viewing and handling honey bees at the home of Andrew Dewey in Jonesboro.
Questions about the course may be addressed to Andrew Dewey:
andrew@beeberrywoods.com
266-7294
Class participants will be founding members of the Washington County Beekeepers, a chapter of The Maine State Beekeepers Association.