Top Bar Beekeeping 101: February 9-10 at Shelter

A New York Times reporter referred to bees as the "angels of agriculture." It's amazing to learn and see how essential bees are to the production of our food.  A recent documentary vividly depicts the threats facing bees. We can help sustain these essential insects by maintaining hives in our own backyards and get the wonderful reward of harvesting honey.

Shelter has again invited guest speaker, Christy Hemenway from Gold Star Honeybees, to offer a two-day "Intensive" beekeeping workshop on Top Bar Beekeeping February 9-10 at the Shelter campus. The class is designed specifically for those who want to get started keeping bees in top bar hives in the 2013 beekeeping season.

This in-depth class—with emphasis on the why of things—combines important how-to information, history, hive management techniques, and natural disease and pest control methods. You can get started with confidence!

The Weekend Intensive workshop is two full days of "Bee Buzz" and includes the following topics:

How Did We Get Here From There?
A history of beekeeping through the last couple of hundred years, which has brought us to today’s industrial methods. What effect is this having on honey bees?

Terrible Things That Can Happen To Your Wonderful Bees
Forewarned is forearmed! Know how to recognize pest and disease problems in the hive.

Hands-on Instruction and Demonstration
Instruction/demonstration of related activities: hive inspection techniques, comb handling, mite monitoring, wax rendering, hive management methods, splitting, honey harvest, winterizing.

You'll Be a Gold Star Graduate!
You and your fellow students will be part of a growing support system in the future as greener beekeeping methods spread. By attending a Gold Star Weekend Intensive, you are automatically invited to be a part of the Gold Star Graduates Google Group.

A Certificate of Beginning... Beekeeping is a journey, and we hope that today’s beekeepers continue their journey into a healthier, green future. Students receive a signed certificate marking the beginning of their journey.

Tuition includes breakfast and lunch both days—wonderful local and/or organic foods.

Because ORGANIC is a BEE'S BEST FRIEND!

Register online today.

Tuition: $200/person or $175 early bird tuition if you register by January 31st.

Schedule overview:
8:30: Check-in and gather over coffee, tea and light breakfast
9:00-12:00 Class
12:00-1:00 Lunch Break
1:00-4:00 Afternoon Session