The Knox County Beekeepers Association (KCBA) will hold its annual Beginner Beekeeping Classes in Room 105 of Faculty Hall on the Campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
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. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Beginning Beekeeping Class provides all the information needed to get started. The first class will cover what you will need, where to purchase bees and equipment, and how to care for bees and keep them healthy. Instruction will also be given on what to look for when you are working with 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.
“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,” Jeff Gabric, the president of KCBA, said.
The fee for each class is $75 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. If you sign up for both classes, the cost is only $130. Lunch will be provided. Students are free when accompanied by a registered adult. Be sure and ask about youth scholarships available from KCBA.
Preregistration (including students) is required. The number of registrations will be limited, so please register early. Visit knoxbees.com to learn more about the classes and to register. For questions, call Jeff Gabric at (740) 760-0300.
