Workshop - Beekeeping 101
Thinking about starting a backyard beehive? Curious about keeping bees in Southern Arizona? Here is our introductory class. This class is designed for absolute beginners and emphasis on local problems such as Africanized Hybrid Honeybees. Learn the cast and demographics of the hive, different hive designs, protective gear and tips. The local seasons and how they affect the hive. Lots of practical information on setting up and maintaining your hive. Our area is very unique and beginner beekeeping books, though they are great for basic knowledge, will not prepare you for beekeeping in the Southwest. First half is in the classroom, second half is hands on in our bees! This helps you get comfortable being around bees. You will get the opportunity to to inspect hives with supervision and guidance. How to protect yourself and those around you. How and when to use a smoker and what to look for during inspections. During the hands on part, we inspect multiple hives. This gives us glimpses into different scenarios, one hive may have laying workers, one may be going through requeening, one may have mites, so each class can be different! A few times we even had to gather swarms that landed nearby! This class requires protective clothing. If you do not have a suit yet, don't worry, you can borrow one of ours. This class includes a one year membership to the Southern Arizona Beekeepers Association.
1 day workshop, 6 hours long. Starts at 9am. Breaks at noon for lunch, either bring your own or visit one of the restaurants in Three Points, resumes at 1pm until around 4pm.
We hold this class at our apiary South of Three Points for the safety of the community. We will be seeing the difference (hands on) between an Africanized Hybrid Hive and an European one. This class comes with continued hands on education (Sundays in the Apiary), invitations to assist in bee removals and phone mentorship at no charge. By taking a class from a third generation beekeeper you are gaining the knowledge to assist you from potentially making costly mistakes causing bee deaths and/or harm to people and animals.
Space limited to 6 persons per class. Class fee is $150. You can choose to pay the full amount or hold your space by choosing 1/2 down with remainder due at the class by clicking on the drop down tab below. Ages 10-17 are half price when accompanied by an adult.