Getting Started?
Come and learn about beekeeping from Master Beekeepers! View information about our 2009 short course.
Click here to see basic information about getting started in beekeeping.
Click here to view some frequently asked questions about beekeeping.
Click here to download the latest issue of the Honey Pot
Click here to contact one of our master beekeepers.
Click here to send an email to Jerry Fischer, the Maryland State Apiary Inspector.
Click here to view a listing of bee maladies.
2009 Beginner's Short Course
The goal of our short course is to teach a person with no prior knowledge of beekeeping what he needs to know in order to successfully establish and maintain a bee colony through its first year. We include the background material in our beginner's course so that you will understand why you should do certain things, and to help you appreciate the intricacies of this amazing animal.
As a prerequisite, we only ask that you be interested in learning about beekeeping. If you are unsure of your abilities, consider that bees have trained beekeepers for thousands of years, and they have gotten good at it.
The Course Coordinator is Jim Fraser (email: jfraser71@aol.com)
Class sessions will start at 7:00 pm at the Holiday Park Senior Center (3950 Ferrara Drive, Wheaton MD) near the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Viers Mill Road. The meetings run about 2.5 hours.
Click here to view a map of the Holiday Park Senior Center
Click here to get driving directions to the Holiday Park Center.
The cost is $50, which includes the course textbook (approximate cost $30), a one year membership to MCBA (current dues $15), the course notebook, handouts and other materials.
If another member of your household wishes to take the class, the registration fee for the second person will be reduced to $20 and you will be asked to share one textbook.
Jeffery Beck, MCBA Treasurer
17325 Germantown Road
Germantown, MD 20874
| Thursday, March 5 (7:00 to 9:00 PM) |
Lecture 1 |
| Understanding Bees, Colony Activities, Beekeeping Equipment | |
| Thursday, March 12 (7:00 to 9:00 PM) |
Lecture 2 |
| Obtaining and Preparing for Bees, Working Bees, Package Bees, Feeding Bees | |
| Thursday, March 19 (7:00 to 9:00 PM) |
Lecture 3 |
| Winter and Spring Management, Summer and Fall Management | |
| Thursday, March 26 (7:00 to 9:00 PM) |
Lecture 4 |
| Products of the Hive, Bee Pests and Diseases | |
| Thursday, April 2 (7:00 to 9:00 PM) |
Lecture 5 |
| Queens and Queen Rearing, Special Management Problems, Pollination and Bee Plants | |
| Saturday, April 5 (tentative) (1:00 to 4:00 PM) |
Field Day |
| Live Bee Session at the Wheaton Nature Center (bring your veils!) | |
| Saturday, April 12 (tentative) (1:00 to 4:00 PM) |
Field Day |
| Live Bee Session at the Wheaton Nature Center (bring your veils!) | |