Washington State University Snohomish County Extension and Beez Neez Apiary Supply once again are teaming up to sponsor three sessions over the next six months of the popular apprentice level course in the Master Beekeeper Program. The five-week course provides a thorough introduction to beekeeping for novice beekeepers as well as a comprehensive refresher course for experienced apiculturists.
The classes will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, with the first course running Oct. 27 through Nov. 24, at WSU Snohomish County Extension in McCollum Park, 600 128th ST SE, Everett. The course will be repeated in 2010 starting Monday, Jan. 11, and again next spring starting Mar. 1.
The classes are designed to build basic beekeeping skills. Topics to be covered include bee biology, equipment, seasonal management requirements, identification, and management of pests, as well as honey removal and processing. The overall focus will home in 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 will be 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 expected to fill quickly. The cost for the five-week course is $50 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://www.snohomish.wsu.edu/ag/workshops/beekeeping09.pdf and mail it with your check.
For more information on the course, contact Dave Pehling, pehling@wsu.edu, (425) 357-6019.
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