A recent issue of “Bee Culture” magazine reported, “2009 has the worst honey crop on record. If you like honey, you should buy it now, and buy a lot.” Or, you might learn to raise bees and develop a homegrown honey supply.
Washington State University Snohomish County Extension and Beez Neez Apiary Supply are once again sponsoring the apprentice level course in the Master Beekeeper Program, starting Jan. 4. The five-week course serves as a thorough introduction to beekeeping for novice beekeepers as well as a comprehensive refresher course for experienced apiculturists.
The classes will be held on Monday evenings, Jan. 4 through Feb 8 (no class on Jan.18), from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th Street S.E. in Everett. The course will be repeated in March.
The course is designed to build basic beekeeping skills. Topics to be covered include bee biology, equipment, seasonal management requirements, pest identification and management, as well as honey removal and processing. The overall focus is on the unique challenges and benefits to beekeeping in the Pacific Northwest.
A workshop manual complements the lectures. Participants completing the five-week course and passing the Washington State Apprentice Beekeeper level exam (an open book test) will receive a certificate towards the Journey and Master Beekeeper levels of training.
Each session is taught by local beekeeping professionals, WSU Snohomish County Extension entomologist Dave Pehling, and Jim Tunnell, owner of Beez Neez Apiary in Snohomish.
Class size is limited and fills quickly. The cost for the five-week course is $60 per person.
To register, contact Karie Christensen at 425-357-6039, or email her at klchristen@wsu.edu. You may also download the registration form at http://snohomish.wsu.edu/Ag/workshops/beekeeping10.pdf and mail it with your check.
For more information on the course, contact Dave Pehling, pehling@wsu.edu or 425-357-6019.
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