2021 Class Schedule

• 2/7/21 - Session 1:  10:00-12:00 (Virtual)
  • Equipment needs / season overview / bee biology
  • The organization of the hive:  Life cycles and jobs
  • Hive Setup Options: Langstroth, Top Bar, Warre and Flow Hives
  • Feeders and feeding techniques

  

• 3/7/21 – Session 2:  10:00-12:00 (Virtual)
  • Varroa Mites
    • Biology of the Varroa Mite
    • Developing your Varroa Strategy
    • Varroa Management Tools & Techniques
    • Tentative Virtual Honey Tasting

  

• 3/20/21 – Tentative Build Day 9:00-3:00 (Location TBD)

 

• 4/11/21 – Session 3:  10:00-12:00 (Tentatively Virtual) 
  • Package Bees and Nucs:  Installing your bees
  • Working at “Bee Speed”:  Basic techniques for working your hive
  • Making your hive their home

 

• 5/16/21 – Session 4:  Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
  • Pests and Pathogens
    • Small Hive Beetles, Wax Moths
    • The importance of Hive Strength
  • Reading the Frames
  •  Comb Production: The Currency of the Hive
    • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard

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• 6/13/21 – Session 5:  Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
  • Honey Plants, Trees and Crops
  • Supering Techniques:  What, why and when
    • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard

 

• 7/11/21 – Session 6:  Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
  • Making Late Season Splits
  •  Honey Harvesting:  Timing, Techniques and Tools
    • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard

 

• 8/15/21 – Session 7:  Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
  • Fall Management / Disease Control / Combining Hives
    • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard

 

• 9/12/21: - Session 8:  Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
  • Fall Management / Preparing for Winter
    • Three things to protect your bees against in winter
    • Winterizing prep and techniques
    • Signs of a strong hive ready for winter
      • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard

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• 10/17/21: - Session 9:  Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
  • Winter Management
    • Timing
    • Bees in winter
    • Early Feeding
    • Preparing for spring