Beginning Beekeeping Series
Class Description:
This series is designed for individuals serious about hobby beekeeping. The series takes participants through the annual cycle of beekeeping from establishing a hive to harvesting. Regular class attendance, a commitment to recommended reading, participation in Field Day and Maintenance Days, and regular hive inspections are essential for successful beekeeping.
Participants will attend lectures as a large group in person in the Auditorium at Amazing Space. A Zoom option is available in the event that the class needs to be moved online or if individual circumstances warrant it. In addition to lectures, participants will be guided in hands-on field days in the educational apiary at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, located between Alburnett and Marion. Small groups will be formed to offer more one-on-one time with instructors. Each participant will also be assigned to a mentor teacher, who can provide one-on-one support throughout the season. Beekeeping instructor Julie Rice will offer maintenance days at the apiary. Maintenance days are held regularly and allow students to participate in the regular maintenance and upkeep of the overall apiary, as well as informal Q&A time. Julie will email all class participants about a week before each maintenance day with a date and time she will be in the apiary.
Completion of this class allows for complimentary use of the Nature Center’s Sugar House for extraction from August 1 to September 30, 2023.
Required Materials:
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Simple, Smart Beekeeping by Kirsten Shoshanna Traynor and Michael Joseph Traynor
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Varroa Easy Check Tool
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Personal protective equipment: a jacket or suit with a veil, hive tool or j-tool, gloves (do not have to be beekeeping gloves).
Please Note: Participants must register prior to the first class of each year and be in attendance at the first class. Please email us or call 319-362-0664 with any questions.
Important Class Dates
Lecture Sessions
Location: Amazing Space Auditorium (5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403)
Dates: February 2, March 2, April 6, July 20, September 21
Time: 6-7:30PM
Field Day Sessions
Location: Etzel Sugar Grove Farm (unless otherwise noted)
Dates: April 10 (4-7pm), May 20, June 10, and August 5 at Sugar House*
Time: 9am-12pm (unless otherwise noted)
*Sugar House: 6665 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
PLEASE NOTE: Bee package delivery is ESTIMATED to take place on April 23. Once we have finalized the date/time, all participants and bee purchasers will be notified via email.
