Enroll Now

☆

Enroll Now ☆

2026 Beginners Beekeeping Course

Learn the basics of beekeeping

Sale

Quick View

Beginners Beekeeping Course

$115.00 $135.00

I'm Ready to Enroll

What you’ll learn

Honeybee Biology

Covers basic honeybee anatomy and the life stages of a bee so that your foundational knowledge is strong. Also includes an overview of the strains of honeybees and the pros and cons of each.
Colony Activities

Understand the division of labor inside a colony; how honeybees build comb; and how bees forage and communicate so that you can understand the activities of your colony in management decisions.
Beekeeping Equipment

There’s nothing worse than buying something only to learn it’s not what you need. Learn the pros and cons of various hive parts and beekeeping equipment before you start to purchase, so you can start with the right equipment for you.
Pests and Diseases

Learn about the pests and diseases that affect honeybees as well as Integrated Pest Management techniques to arm yourself with the knowledge to troubleshoot and take action for the healthiest hive possible.
The Beekeeping Year

Put all the theory into something tangible by learning what a year in beekeeping actually looks like - from the rapid growth in spring, to dearth in the summer, and the slow ramp down during fall and overwintering.

Beginners Beekeeping Course

The Huguenot Beekeepers' Association (HBA) is holding its annual Beginning Beekeeping Course on four Saturdays beginning in January and running through March. Attendees will receive instruction on the basics of beekeeping, the various equipment including hive components and tools, diseases and pests, what to expect in the first year, how to purchase and install your bees, sources of pollen and nectar, and (weather permitting) a hands on field day in the club's apiary.

Registered attendees will receive:

Over 20 hours of instruction.
2 Books: "The Beekeeper's Handbook" and "Beekeeping Basics"
1 year family membership to the Huguenot Beekeepers Association.

Course runs 4 Saturdays from 9am-4pm in the Powhatan Village Building Auditorium.

Dates include: January 31st, February 14th, February 28th, and March 14th (this class will include, weather permitting, time in our club apiary).

Classes are taught by HBA Officers, Technical Advisors, and veteran beekeepers based on subject matter and availability.

Testimonials

Hands on experience before ever owning bees

“Taking part in the 2024 beginners’ class wholly influenced my decision to begin beekeeping. Not only was the class thorough and informative, but it offered hands-on apiary experience that allowed me to really decide if I was ready to keep my own bees while also getting to know the local community of beekeepers.
Throughout the experience I felt challenged in a way that encouraged met to figure out how to ask questions and participate while also being welcomed to experience beekeeping for the first time.” - Maranda
Learning to positively impact the environment

“My husband Kevin and I attended the Beginner Beekeepers Course so that we could learn how to positively impact the environment by supporting biodiversity and enhancing the pollination of our garden. Through this process, we have not only developed a deeper connection to nature but also discovered a community of like-minded individuals with whom we can collaborate; none of that would have been possible without this course.” - Sandra
THE absolute best starting place

“Wendy and I both attended the Beginning Beekeepers course in 2023 and found it to be immensely educational and, on reflection, THE absolute best starting place.
Regardless of whether you already have bees or are considering getting into Beekeeping the course always landed back at basic skills & knowledge required by a novice beekeeper to start, manage, and keep a healthy colony. The course allowed us to understand the fundamental needs first and trust the rest would follow.
Wendy and I both highly recommend and endorse the beginner beekeeping course and membership of Huguenot Beekeepers Association.” - Ian and Wendy