Annual Bee Schools are sponsored by Local Chapters, Adult Education Programs, and sometimes in cooperation with the County Extension Service.
These practical courses are a must for beginners and a great chance for intermediate-level beekeepers to update and refresh their skills.
It is important to be sure to sign up with the instructor who is right for you (find out by asking at local bee clubs).
2012 Maine Beekeeping Schools, Classes, Workshops and Seminars
Instructor: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, EAS Master Beekeeper, President, Maine State Beekeepers Association.
Intermediate Bee School
“Apiary Management”
January – February 2012
Instructor: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, EAS Master Beekeeper, President, Maine State Beekeepers Association.
February 6 to March 12, 2012
Monday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
UMaine Learning Center
75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104,
Falmouth, Maine
Fee (includes texts): $130. For more information or to register over the phone with a credit card call 207-781-6099; 1-800-287-1471
Call Cooperative Extension at 781-6099 for more information and registration details.
http://umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/2012-beekeeping-courses/
Sponsored by University Of Maine Cooperative Extension
Spring Beginner Bee School
“Successful Beekeeping”
January – February 2012
January 18 to February 15, 2012
Wednesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Room 303, Payson Smith Hall, 96 Falmouth Street
USM Portland Campus
Fee: $80.
Instructor: Geoff MacLean
Texts (included in fee): The Beekeeper’s Handbook – Fourth Edition, Sammataro and Avitabile
Honey Bee Diseases and Pests, Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists
For more information or to register over the phone with a credit card call 207-781-6099; 1-800-287-1471
E-mail: extension.cumberland@maine.edu
http://umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/2012-beekeeping-courses/
Spring Intermediate Bee School
January – February 2012
6 consecutive Tuesdays,
January 10 – February 14, 2012, 6:30 – 8:30 PM (the first class will start at 6:00 PM)
Cumberland County Extension Office
75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, ME 04105
(207)781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471
E-mail: extension.cumberland@maine.edu
http://umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/2012-beekeeping-courses/
Phil Gaven, Proprietor of The Honey Exchange in Portland
Beginner Beekeeping Classes
January – March, 2012
Instructors: Phil Gaven, Proprietor of The Honey Exchange, with Peter Richardson
Beginner Beekeeping sessions run one night a week for five classes.
Sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Class is held at The Honey Exchange from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.
Cost for the course is $75, which includes the textbook “The Backyard Beekeeper.”
Space is limited to 12 people per session.
Sign up at the store, or by calling 207.773.9333, Tuesday through Saturday between 10:00-6:00.
More details on our website.
Somerset Beekeepers
Basic Beekeeping for Beginners
February - March 2012
Tuesday evenings from 6:30* to 8:30 PM
(First meeting will begin at 6PM for registration)
Where: Somerset County Extension Office
7 County Drive, Skowhegan, ME 04976
Cost: The course fee is $40 per person/couple and includes a 1 year membership with the Somerset Beekeepers
Instructor: Samantha Burns
Contact: Questions about the course may be addressed to Samantha Burns,
sam7anthaburns@gmail.com 696-4906
Somerset Beekeepers Bee-School Informational Printout (PDF)
Tri-County Bee School
February - March 2012
Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
February 21st, February 28th, March 6th, March 20th, March 27th
(snow date April 3rd)
An additional 6th session Beekeepers Field Day will be announced.
Where: Hancock County Extension Office
63 Boggy Brook Road
Ellsworth, ME 04605
Cost: The course fee is $60.00 per person/couple
Course is limited to 25 people
Instructors: Jon Cullen, President, Tri-County Beekeepers, Andrew Dewey, Tom Nichols, Tony Jadczak, Maine State Apiarist, and Lincoln Sennett, Commercial Beekeeper
Questions about the course may be addressed to Jon Cullen, jonandkaren@fairpoint.net 207-567-3537
Tri-County Beekeeping School Registration Form 2012 (PDF)
UMaine Extension York County Beginner Bee School
March – April 2012
What: 5-week introductory beekeeping course, textbook & materials included
When: Tuesdays, 6:00 to 8:30 pm, March 6 – April 3; plus field lab, Saturday, April 7
Where: Anderson Learning Center, Heritage Room, 21 Bradeen Street, Springvale, ME
Cost: $90 per person; $140/pair sharing text & materials
Instructors from the Maine State Beekeepers Association and the York County Beekeepers Association will cover such topics as the Honey Bee Colony, Constructing Hives, Pests and Disease, Medications and Honey Production.
york-county-beginner-bee-school-registration-form spring-2012 (PDF)
UMaine Extension York County Intermediate Bee School
March – April 2012
What: 5-week intermediate beekeeping course, textbook & materials included
When: Thursdays, 6:00 to 8:30 pm, March 22 – April 19; plus field lab, Saturday, April 21
Where: Anderson Learning Center, Heritage Room, 21 Bradeen Street, Springvale, ME
Cost: $95 per person; $145/pair sharing text & materials
For those with at least one year of beekeeping experience, will cover advanced topics including Honey Bee Anatomy and Communication, Foraging and Botany, Problems of the Hive, Mating and Rearing Queens, and Hive Manipulations. Students will also have the opportunity to visit local hives for observation and hands-on experience, through the York County Bee Club.
york-county-intermediate-bee-school-registration-form-spring-2012 (PDF)
EAS Master Beekeepers Certification Program
The purpose of the Master Beekeeper certification program is to identify and certify people who have a detailed knowledge of honey bee biology, expertise in the proper practices of beekeeping, and can present this information to the beekeeping and non-beekeeping public in a detailed, accurate, clear and authoritative manner. The goal of this program is to certify that those who are awarded the Master Beekeepers Certificate are competent at a college level in the four areas where they are tested.
The certification program will be conducted in conjunction with the annual EAS Conference. Certification will be coordinated by personnel who are designated by the Master Beekeeper Organization. More information »
