SF Bee-Cause Beekeeping Classes Return to Hayes Valley Farm

Written by Karen Peteros, Co-Founder of San Francisco Bee-Cause | 14 March 2011

HONEY BEEKEEPING ESSENTIALS, THE SERIES

Since information about Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) hit the media in early 2007, there has been a growing interest in honey bees – how critical they are to our food supply, how they are used and abused as an integral part of our industrial food system, and what we can all do to help ensure healthy populations of honey and native bees. As a result, beekeeping by individuals is on the rise, particularly in urban environments. Historically, San Francisco stands out as a progressive leader among major US cities in its legal and public policy attitudes about beekeeping: it is not inherently dangerous, it should be legal and is appropriately regulated by the law of nuisance.

On March 20, Hayes Valley Farm, in partnership with non-profit San Francisco Bee-Cause, is launching a comprehensive series of classes designed to provide aspiring and new beekeepers with the knowledge and hands-on experience necessary for responsible and successful honey beekeeping in the urban environment. Instructors will provide a personal, in-depth approach designed to get students the confidence to properly manage a honey bee colony through all lifecycle events, and to use “natural” methods of beekeeping aimed at colony health.

Upcoming classes include:

Understanding the Honey Bee Colony
Knowing basic honey bee and colony biology is essential for the beekeeper to work with, rather than against, the bees’ natural inclinations as they change throughout the seasons.
When: Sunday, March 20, 10am-1pm. Cost: $30. Register now.

The Urban Beekeeper’s Primer. The A’s, Bees and C’s of Urban Beekeeping
Everything you want to consider before starting to keep honey bees in an urban environment.
When: Saturday, March 26, 10am-1pm. Cost: $25. Register now.

Langstroth Hive Equipment Assembly
Being able to assemble equipment can help save the beekeeper lots of money and impart a greater appreciation of “bee space”. Students will assemble boxes and frames of various sizes, and will learn options for and install various types of “foundation” into the frames.
When: Sunday, March 27, 12-2pm. Cost: $25. Register now.

How to Install a Package of Bees or Swarm - Installing bees into a hive set-up can be nerve wracking for the new beekeeper. The class will include installation of a package of bees and discussion about differences when installing a swarm.

How to Inspect a Honey Bee Colony - Through regular inspection classes, students have the opportunity to actively participate in the inspection and management of the honey bee colonies at Hayes Valley Farm throughout the year under the guidance of experienced beekeepers. Students of these classes would include those who are new to keeping their own bees, those would think they may want to keep bees in the future, and the “honey bee agri-tourist” who wants the experience of taking a tour of live honey bee colony.

Harvesting the Gold - There are various methods of harvesting the excess honey produced by a honey bee colony depending on the type of hive equipment used. Students will harvest honey from hives at Hayes Valley Farm using each of these methods, and take away a sample of that honey.

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