Beekeeping Classes 2020

Launching one of Missouri’s, if not the first Great Plains Master Beekeeping certified beginning beekeeping class, for a local bee club. Great way to spend a winter Saturday, talking bees! (Photo by Lorri Thurman)

Beekeeping Classes 2020

Let’s see, I have been teaching beginning beekeeping classes since 2012. Launched first at the request of our local extension office, this year’s classes mark a new milestone in Missouri beekeeping history. The Rolla Bee Club beginning beekeeping classes this year have been certified through Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program, which means students are getting the most current best management practices.

Students from the historic first Great Plains Master Beekeeping Apprentice level classes at Rolla Bee Club for 2020. Several attendees told me this was their last attempt to be successful at keeping bees after trying for several years. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

It’s a big deal for several reasons.

Some beekeepers enjoy making their own hives as well as new associated contraptions. We say learn the basics, then branch out into whatever catches your interest. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

First, most beekeeping questions tend to be answered with “it depends.” In other words, there can be many answers to a beginning beekeeper’s questions, making it challenging to make critical, expensive decisions as one buys and scouts hive locations. By focusing on best management practices, the answers are narrowed down to the ones that lead to success.

Secondly, beekeepers like to tinker. They’re either making something for their hives or trying something new with their bees. Not an issue if you understand bee biology but it you’re starting, this can be confusing. Our beginning beekeeping classes focus on what a beginning beekeeper needs to know to pull their honey bees through their first winter. It can take a couple to three years so this is also a lesson in patience.

The symbol that a course is approved by Great Plains Master Beekeeping out of University of Nevada at Lincoln.

As a member of the Great Plains Master Beekeeping program, these beginning beekeeping classes qualify for the entire first Apprentice Level. Although several students suggested in their class survey that the class should be divided into two sessions, we spend a good 8 hours on the basics including providing a diary with check lists that can be referred to later on.

Jessie Scrivner-Gunn, left, and David Draker demonstrating January 25, 2020 how to carefully inspect a hive. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The thing is, even if we could go over everything, we’re only coaches, the honey bees are the real teachers. And they don’t read beekeeping books, as we like to tell everyone so as much as we try to provide most likely scenarios, no two years of beekeeping are the same.

Did I mention beekeeping can be a lifelong adventure?

The bottom line is Rolla Bee Club’s beginning beekeeping classes in 2020 mark a new era. Considering the bee club was launched February 2014, this is a good way to mark our sixth year introducing people to beekeeping. And supporting them as well through our monthly meetings and associated events.

Rolla Bee Club January 26, 2020 club meeting included a discussion of the pros and cons of various hive designs besides a Langstroth, the current industry standard. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Two more beginning beekeeping classes are scheduled for this year. We hold the classes in winter when the bees are supposed to be clustered inside hives consuming honey. When temperatures sneak above 50F, though, I find my bees sneaking into my garage looking for something to eat.

My Bee Buddy and Club co-founder David Draker welcoming students to our January 25, 2020 beginning beekeeping class. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The next beginning beekeeping class will be Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Doolittle Community Hall, 380 Eisenhower, Doolittle, Missouri. Deadline to register is February 1, 2020. Cost is $75 and includes a beginning beekeeping book, calendar, refreshments and catered lunch. Register online.

Doolittle Community Hall is located off Interstate 44, exit 179.

For those who help their bees make it through winter, we have a Second Year Beekeeping Class Saturday, March 14, 2020 also at Doolittle Community Hall. This class will focus more on basic techniques including how to merge colonies and how to make a split. Deadline to register is Friday, February 28, 2020. Register here.
So let’s talk bees, shall we?

Charlotte