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2010 Introduction to Beekeeping Short Course

Thursday Nights
February 18th - March 18th
7:00pm to 9:00pm

Holiday Park Senior Center
3950 Ferrara Dr
Silver Spring, MD 20906

A $50 materials fee includes book & MCBA membership

Click here to reserve your spot!

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Getting Started?

Come and learn about beekeeping from Master Beekeepers! View information about our 2010 short course.

Click here to see basic information about getting started in beekeeping.

Click here to view some frequently asked questions about beekeeping.

 

Honey Pot

Click here to download the latest issue of the Honey Pot

 

Got bee problems?

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.

 

2010 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)

Location

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.

Cost

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 $25 and you will be asked to share one textbook.

Due to overwhelming response we have had in previous years and the limited space available, the course registration is limited to 80 individuals. All fees must be paid in advance.
 
Please complete the registration form and mail it along with your payment to:
 
Jeffery Beck, MCBA Treasurer
17325 Germantown Road
Germantown, MD 20874
 

Meeting Dates

Thursday, February 18
(7:00 to 9:00 PM)		 Lecture 1
Understanding Bees, Colony Activities, Beekeeping Equipment
Thursday, February 25
(7:00 to 9:00 PM)		 Lecture 2
Obtaining and Preparing for Bees, Working Bees, Package Bees, Feeding Bees
Thursday, March 4
(7:00 to 9:00 PM)		 Lecture 3
Winter and Spring Management, Summer and Fall Management
Thursday, March 11
(7:00 to 9:00 PM)		 Lecture 4
Products of the Hive, Bee Pests and Diseases
Thursday, March 18
(7:00 to 9:00 PM)		 Lecture 5
Queens and Queen Rearing, Special Management Problems, Pollination and Bee Plants
Saturday, March 27 (tentative)
(1:00 to 4:00 PM)		 Field Day
Live Bee Session at the Wheaton Nature Center (bring your veils!)
Saturday, April 3 (tentative)
(1:00 to 4:00 PM)		 Field Day
Live Bee Session at the Wheaton Nature Center (bring your veils!)