BGSV Beekeepers Introductory Course
Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia annually present a three day Short Course for Beginning Beekeepers with an emphasis on sustainable practices. The course will normally be held on three consecutive Saturday mornings in late January - early February at a location in Chesepeake or Virginia Beach. Course normally starts around 8 am and finishes up noon/early afternoon.
An optional fourth Saturday, around April time period, will have an open hive demonstration in the bee yard with an equipment assembly demonstration. Date pending weather and bee yard availablity.
Topics include:
- Honey Bee Biology
- Beekeeping Equipment
- Seasonal Hive Management
- Guild Mentor Program
- Guild Nucleus Colony (Nuc) Program
- Beekeeping Best Management Practice
- Honey Bee Pests and Diseases
- Honey Production and Other Hive Products
This course fulfills the educational requirement of six (6) hours of classroom instruction in introductory beekeeping training for the qualified level of the Virginia Master Beekeeper Program.
Tuition is normally around $65 and includes MAAREC Beekeeping Basics, additional beekeeping publications, refreshments each day and a FREE Guild membership from first day of class to June 30. A $25 tuition available for additional students in the same household not receiving reference materials. Minor children must be accompanied by a paying adult.