MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Beekeepers Association will have its annual beginner beekeeping classes in person and via the Zoom platform this year.
In-person classes will be held in Room 105 of Faculty Hall on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. At the time of registration, you can choose either the in-person or Zoom option.
If you have you ever wanted to keep honeybees and just did not know how to get started, the Knox County Beekeepers Association can help. The course will be divided into two classes: The first session will address how to get started and the second session will teach methods of managing honeybees. The classes will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The classes will be recorded for review or a missed class.
The beginning beekeeping class provides all of the information needed to get started: what and where to purchase bees and equipment, how to care for bees and how to keep them healthy. Instruction also will be given on what to look for when you are working your bees, basic biology and behaviors, bee health, pest problems and solutions and, of course, honey harvesting. The second class will delve a bit deeper into the art of hive management with discussion topics such as making more honey, catching swarms, collecting pollen and splitting hives. In both classes, the aim is to present best practices in a straightforward, step-by-step, easy-to-understand format. Class and group discussions are encouraged between instructors and students.
Jeff Gabric, the President of KCBA, said, “The classes are a lot of fun. Beekeeping can be a complicated endeavor. We try to simplify it for our students and give them enough knowledge to get started and be successful.” C
The fee for each class is $55 for adults and includes a copy of “First Lessons in Beekeeping” by Keith Delplane and one-year memberships to the Knox County Beekeepers Association and The Ohio State Beekeepers Association. Lunch will be provided for the in-person option. For students, the classes are free; there are youth scholarships available from KCBA.
Preregistration is required. The number of in-person registrations will be limited so if you prefer that option please register early. Visit www.knoxbees.com to learn more about the classes and register online. For questions, call Jeff Gabric at 740-760-0300.
