Beginning       Beekeeper Course                  2023          

Every year we hold a Beginner Beekeepers Course. It is designed to help those interested in beekeeping and to do it successfully with the support of many other local beekeepers. The 2023 Course is scheduled to take place Saturday February 25 from 9AM - 1PM continuing March 4,  March 25  , followed by a day in the bee yard in April 1 (April 8 Rain Date) . The location is the Wilkes Community College Hayes Building Room 313. Topics to be covered are:

February 25, 2023

• • Introduction

  • The Hive and the Honeybee

  • Modern Beekeepers and their Equipment

  • Getting Started and Setting up your Hives

  • Honey Bee Biology

March 4, 2023

• • Diseases, Pests, and Pesticides

  • Review Medication Fact Sheet

  • Plant, Pollen and Nectar sources

March 25, 2023

• • NCSBA Master Beekeeper Program

  • Products of the Hive

  • Seasonal Management

  • Certified Beekeeper Exam

April  1, 2023

• • Day in the bee yard

  • April 16 Rain Date

The cost of the class is $50.00 per person or $25.00 for students 18 and under.

The cost includes:

• • Course material

  • 1 year membership in the Beekeepers of Wilkes

  • 1 year membership to the North Carolina Beekeepers Association. 

  • Monthly Info as regular member benefit

You can register and pay on the first day of class ( if you chose to pay and register the day of the class please send me a email so we will have material for you)  or you may pre-register for the course by contacting the Wilkes County Agricultural Extension Office at 336-651-7335. Or by mailing your name, address, telephone number, and email address along with the registration fee to Samantha Lusk, NC Cooperative Extension Service, 416 Executive Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. If you have any questions please contact Kelly Pipes  at president@beekeepersofwilkes.org.