Class Offerings for 2021
At present all classes will be via Zoom. We are currently planning to hold our Field Day and Beginners with Bees class with masks and social distancing.Exploring what's entailed in beekeeping
Learn what's involved in keeping bees. This one hour overview looks at the materials, cost and time commitment needed to keep bees.
WHEN:
To be announced
WHERE:
Bluestone Meadow Lavender Farm, 2025 Carson Rd, Placerville, CA
PRICE:
$10
This two-part introductory class is comprised of one classroom day and one afternoon in the field. Taught by experienced club members, many in the CA Master Beekeeping Program, you’ll learn all you need to know to start beekeeping this spring.
SAT FEB 6
The classroom day is divided into six small stations. You’ll learn:
- what equipment is needed to start
- how to set up a bee yard
- a tour inside the hive
- what happens throughout the year
- intro to bee biology and society
- intro to Varroa and pests in the hive
We recommend the following books for the beginner beekeeper:
- Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping by Samantha Johnson and Daniel Johnson (FFA)
- The Beekeeper’s Handbook by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile
- Beekeeping for Dummies by Howland Blackiston
WHEN:
Saturday, February 6, 2021, 9am to 4pm
WHERE:
Zoom
Please logon early to sign in
SAT APR 10
During the afternoon field day you’ll learn:
- how to light a smoker
- how to properly open, close and inspect a hive
- how to read the frames
- how to test for Varroa mites
NOTE: Bring your veil and smoker
WHEN:
Saturday, April 10, 2021, noon to 3pm
WHERE:
Bluestone Meadow Lavender Farm 2025 Carson Rd, Placerville, CA
PRICE:
$60 nonmember
$45 club member (must be logged in to get discount)
$20 youth (under eighteen)
You’ve just installed your bees. What’s next? We understand that “information overload” is a given for new beekeepers. This field day class provides new beekeepers an in-hive review and demonstration of topics covered in Beginning Beekeeping.
Taught by experienced club members, many in the CA Master Beekeeping Program, you’ll review what is needed to get a good start with your new colonies.
In this 3-hour class you’ll review:
- properly identifying the three individuals in a colony: queen, drone, worker
- how to open and close a hive and how to pull a frame
- how to read the frames: Is everything OK?
- feeding your new colony
- how to test for Varroa mites
- Varroa mite treatment options
NOTE: Bring your veil and smoker
WHEN:
Saturday, May 15, 2021, 11am to 2 pm
WHERE:
Sherwood Demonstration Garden and Community Observatory
6699 Campus Drive, Placerville, CA
PRICE
$35 nonmember
$25 club member (must be logged in to get discount)
$10 youth (below 18)
0
Prerequisite: Must have successfully over-wintered one colony
Your bees survived the winter! Now what? In this intermediate class learn more about working your colonies and integrated pest management (IPM) with experienced club members, many in the CA Master Beekeeping Program.
Taught in four stations, you’ll learn:
- hive management skills: splits, swarm control, re-queening and combining hives
- The Varroa Wars: battle plans
- biology / diseases in the hive
- increasing your apiary with swarms: catch, trap, vacuum and cut-outs
WHEN:
Saturday, March 6, 2021, 9am – 4pm
WHERE:
Zoom
Please logon early to sign in
PRICE:
$60 nonmember
$45 club member (must be logged in to get discount)
$20 youth (under eighteen)
0
5 students minimum
What’s a Top Bar Hive? Learn the basics of TBH beekeeping with Chuck Jachens, an experienced TBH beekeeper in the CA Master Beekeeping Program.
You’ll learn:
- Comparison to Langstroth, horizontal and Warre hives
- TBH general overview
- TBH pros and cons
- how to install bees, getting started
- inspections, comb handling and management
- how to test and treat for Varroa in a TBH
- honey harvest with a TBH
- TBH insulation and ventilation
- a construction demo of a TBH
- a panel discussion with TBH members from the club
- where to find more information
WHEN:
Saturday, February 20, 2021, 9am-1pm
WHERE:
Zoom
Please logon early to sign in
PRICE:
$60 nonmember
$45 club member (must be logged in to get discount)
$20 youth (under eighteen)
0