This page is intended as a point of reference to show the diversity of”Bee Schools” offered in Maine.
Please note that ALL of them are past.
Many of them will be offered again in the near future – be sure to sign up with the instructor who is right for you (find out by asking at local bee clubs).
Instructor: Larry Peiffer, Vice President, Maine State Beekeepers Association
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. The schools usually last for several weeks in March and April. Some have follow-up summer field sessions. They are usually team-taught by chapter members with help from the State Bee Inspector.
2011 Maine Beekeeping Schools, Classes, Workshops and Seminars
Intermediate Bee School
January 12 – February 16
Instructor: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, EAS Master Beekeeper, President, Maine State Beekeepers Association.
To be held at the USM campus in Portland. Room 303, Payson Smith Hall, USM Campus, Portland
FMI: Colleen Hoyt, 780-4205 or choyt@umext.maine.edu
Sponsored by University Of Maine Cooperative Extension
Western Maine Beekeeper’s Association annual Beekeeping School
Starting Wednesday January 19, 2011
Location: Region 9 School in Mexico.
Eleven weekly classes are scheduled on Wednesdays 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Registration will be held Wednesday, January 19 at 6:00 PM at in the cafeteria of Region 9 School in Mexico. The cost is $35 which includes the classes, books, handouts and one year membership in the Western Maine Beekeepers Association. Anyone interested in learning more about the Bee School – or the club – can contact Carol Cottrill (364-0917 or WMBA@roadrunner.com) or Nick Kelley (364-4121) for information.
Maranacook Adult Education
RSU 38 2250 Millard Harrison Drive
Readfield ME 04355
207-685-4923 ext 1065
Beginning Beekeeping Short Course
February 15, 22, March 1, and 15, 2011
Oxford County Extension
Location: Extension Office – 9 Olson Road, South Paris. Classes will be from 6 – 8 pm.
Call the Extension office at 743-6329 or 800-287-1482 for information or to pre-register.
5-Week Beginner Bee School
February 23 – March 30
Instructors: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, EAS Master Beekeeper, President, Maine State Beekeepers Association and Geoff MacLean
To be held at the USM campus in Portland. Room 303, Payson Smith Hall, USM Campus, Portland
6:30 – 8:30pm
FMI: Colleen Hoyt, 780-4205 or choyt@umext.maine.edu
Sponsored by University Of Maine Cooperative Extension
Intermediate Bee School
What: A 5-week Intermediate Beekeeping course offered in cooperation with the Maine State Beekeepers Association and University of Maine Cooperative Extension in York County
When: Thursday evenings 6:00 to 8:30 PM, March 24 – April 21, 2011, with additional field lab on Saturday, April 23.
Where: Nasson Heritage Room, Anderson Learning Center, 21 Bradeen Street, Springvale, ME
Course Fee: $95 includes comprehensive beekeeping textbook and related materials. A reduced fee of $50 may apply to one of a pair of students who elect to share the text and other materials ($145/pair).
Pre-requisite: One full year of beekeeping experience is required.
Pre-Registration: is required by March 10
If paying by credit card, you may register by phone at 800-287-1535 (in-state) or 207-324-2814.
Course Topics:
- Honey Bee Anatomy
- The Bee Nest
- Honey Bee Communication
- Foraging and Botany
- Mating and Rearing Queens
- Problems of the Hive
- Making Splits, Divides and Nuclei
- Hive Manipulations
Instructor: Larry Peiffer, Vice President, Maine State Beekeepers Association
FMI: Questions? Please contact UMaine Cooperative Extension in York County:
Email: rebecca.gowdy@maine.edu
207-324-2814 (direct line) 1-800-287-1535 (in state) (TDD) 1-800-287-8957
Beekeeping for Beginners
Saturdays, 9am – 3pm
Class 1: Feb 19, Mar 5 & 19, 2011*
Class 2: Feb 26, Mar 12 & 26, 2011* *Package installation Apr 16
Fee: $40 for the first family member, $25 for any additional members
Instructor: Rick Cooper (Master Beekeeper and a full service supplier.)
(207) 666-5643 rick@bees-n-me.com
Top Bar Hive Course
February 12 and 13, 2011
8:30am to 4:00pm both days
Freeport Middle School 19 Kendall Lane Freeport ME
Cost/Cover: $150 early bird reg / $175 after Jan 21st
Instructor: Christy Hemenway, of Gold Star Honeybees
You can enroll online, by calling 207-449-1121 or by emailing classes@goldstarhoneybees.com
A second Top Bar Hive Course be held in Wiscasset on March 5 and 6.
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 »
