HONEY BEEKEEPING ESSENTIALS, THE SERIES.

Understanding the Honey Bee Colony

If you ever thought you might want to take up beekeeping, or simply learn more about the amazing honey bee, this class is for you. By the end of this class, participants will have a solid understanding of the basics of honey bee biology, and be inspired by this social insect which is the result of millions of years of co-evolution with flowering plants.

If you want to become a beekeeper, this solid understanding is critical to being a responsible and successful beekeeper. Beekeeping is, in essence, applied bee biology. Understanding honey bee biology will enable you to use beekeeping practices that work with the honey bees’ natural inclinations as they change throughout the seasons, rather than against them. We will have a special film screening highlights key events in the life of a honey bee colony. We will serve a salad prepared from greens harvested from Hayes Valley Farm. Please bring a dish to share or a brown bag lunch if you prefer. Water, tea and coffee will be served.

We will rely on a combination of lecture, interactive discussion, “show & tell” and a special film to cover the following subjects: How evolution has developed the honey bees into the “powerhouse of pollinators” The current evolutionary pressures on honey bees (and their native cousins), and what we can all do to “help the bees” Who’s who in the honey bee colony, their individual lifecycles and biological roles The reasons, goals, benefits and risks of swarming

Location: Recology’s Golden Gate Office. 900 7th St., San Francisco. Map

Instructors: Karen Peteros and Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick

Cost and Considerations: The cost for the class is $30. We also offer full- and half-tuition work trade opportunities. Enter code "worktrade-full" or "worktrade-half" at checkout. Find out more about Work Trade.

No one will be turned away for lack of funds, only lack of passion.

There are still seats available! Please complete the online registration so we have ample materials and staffing. You will receive an email from us confirming your registration.