Maine Bee Schools in 2025
Acquiring some basic but essential skills is critical to becoming a successful beekeeper. “Bee School” will get you off to a great start. Classes run for varying lengths from January through April, all over the state. They are conducted by local chapters, adult education programs, beekeeping supply businesses and in cooperation with county extension offices.
These practical courses are a must for beginners, and a great chance for intermediate level beekeepers to update and refresh their skills. In-person learning has many advantages, but due to public health concerns some programs have been switched to online. Either way, acquiring an educational foundation in beekeeping will greatly improve your chances of success!
If you are a new beekeeper, locate a chapter in your area to get help or find a mentor. Most of these clubs also hold open hive demos during the summer months.
2025 In-Person Courses (by location)
Albion
Beginner Bee Classes with Swan’s Honey
Beginner Bee Classes: 3/29/25 from 9-11:30, 3/31 from 6:30-9, 4/2 6:30-9, 4/5 9-11:30. Open hive day 10am 5/3/25
Advanced Bee Classes
Advanced: 3/29/25 from 1 to 3:30, 4/1 from 6:30-9, 4/3 from 6:30-9, 4/5 1-3:30.
An additional person attending is $25 per person, no book or handout but includes dessert!
Augusta
Beginner Bee School with Kennebec Beekeeper Association
Bath
Beekeeping: An Introductory Workshop with Sagadahoc County Beekeepers Association
This one day introduction course will provide an overview of beekeeping for those considering beekeeping or just wanting to learn more about honeybees. The course will cover equipment required, equipment sources, cost, level of effort required, basic bee biology and care, etc. The course is intended to provide basic background information and a general understanding of beekeeping, to help determine if beekeeping is for you. The course is not intended to function as a full beekeeping course; it is highly recommended that a full “Fundamentals of Beekeeping” course is completed if your goal is to become a beekeeper. Morse High School, 826 Shipbuilder Way, Bath, ME 04530 Meets in Rm 160. Cost: $35
Blue Hill
Beginner Bee School with Tri-County Beekeeper’s Club
Please contact us at: tricountybeekeepers@yahoo.com for more information and to receive an application form.
Damariscotta
Bee School with Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers
Discover the fascinating hobby of beekeeping! Join us for a 7-week interactive, IN PERSON course, presented by experienced beekeepers from the Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers (KLCB) and Maine’s State Bee Inspector. Whether you have an interest in becoming a backyard beekeeper for your gardening passion, wish to consider keeping hives for a honey crop, or simply desire to learn more about the intriguing community of honeybees, attending a local bee school will provide you with a basic foundation to get started. This course is designed for first- and second-year beekeepers.
Beekeeping basics, equipment needs, seasonal management, honey bee diseases and pest management will be presented.
DATES: Tuesday evenings, February 25 through April 8th
TIME: 6PM to 8:30PM
LOCATION: Damariscotta Assembly of God, 672 Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine 04543
COST: $110 – this includes the class with hands on breakout sessions, book, handouts, and a one-year membership with KLCBee.
Click here to Register and for more Information
Falmouth
Beginner Beekeeping and Intermediate Beekeeping with Cumberland County Beekeepers and UMaine Cooperative Extension
Beginner Beekeeping 5 weeks
Thursdays, February 6 – March 6, 2025 (Snow Date March 13, 2025) Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Where: UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, Maine (Directions)
Cost: Single registration = $125, Household registration for 2 (1 book) = $220
The Cumberland County Beginner Beekeeping Course will teach beginning beekeepers the basics of honey bee biology and beekeeping. The course is designed for those considering buying their first hives, those in their first year, and even those with a couple of years of experience who want to enhance their skills and knowledge. Learn evidence-based approaches to beekeeping.
Instructors: EAS Certified Master Beekeeper, Jacky Hildreth and Master Beekeeper in training Lindy Allen.
The $125 fee for one registrant; or $220 for two registrants (1 Book) includes the cost of one textbook. Registration is required, space is limited.
Registration
Intermediate Beekeeping
Tuesdays, February 4 – March 4, 2025 (Snow Date March 11, 2025), Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m
Where: UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, Maine (Directions)
Cost: Single registration = $160, Household registration for 2 (1 book) = $270
The Cumberland County Intermediate Beekeeping Course is designed to help beekeepers with two or more years of experience to the next level of apiary management. This course focuses on sustainable beekeeping techniques and strategies that work with the bees natural instincts while still incorporating the beekeepers goals for success. The course will dive deeper into the following subjects: seasonal colony management, queens and queen rearing, swarm management, apiary development, colony and apiary health, harvest and production of items for sale.
Instructor: EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Erin Evans.
The $160 fee and $270 fee includes the cost of one textbook and a Queen Marking Tube and Cage for each participant.
Registration
Kennebunkport
Basic Beekeeping Class with Kennebunkport Parks and Recreation and York County Beekeepers Association
When: Mondays, February 10th to March 10th (March 17th reserved as a snow day), 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Kennebunkport Parks and Recreation, 20 Recreation Way, Kennebunkport.
Cost: $75.00 – includes a textbook and a one-year membership to York County Beekeeper Association.
Course Instructors: Kevin McDonnell, Cornell University Master Beekeeper. Mary Beth Hiller, 8-year experienced beekeeper.
This beginner beekeeping course is designed to provide first and second year beekeepers with essential knowledge and practical skills. Topics include bee biology, hive management, equipment, and seasonal care. A dedicated session on honeybee pests, diseases, and treatments will be led by Jen Lund, Maine’s State Apiarist.
Registration is required, and space is limited to 20 students.
Mexico
Basic Beekeeping with Western Maine Beekeepers Association
Western Maine Beekeepers Association will offer it”s annual 8 week Basic beekeeping class again this year.
When: Saturdays, January 25th to March 29th (includes snow days), 10am – 12:30pm
Please contact John Stewart at 207-939-1044 or email westernmainebeekeeper@gmail.com to register or for more information.
Skowhegan
Beginner Beekeeping with Somerset Beekeepers Association
Beginner Beekeeping Class
This beginner beekeeping course will educate those interested in getting started with bees and beekeeping. Topics of discussion will be Langstroth beehives, assembling bee equipment, installing a nuc, controlling swarming, and dealing with varroa mites. Other topics include how and when to harvest honey, splitting hives, and winterizing the bees.
On the first night of class, the instructor will collect $55 from each participant to cover the cost of the textbook and for a one-year membership to the Somerset Beekeepers Club. If you and others of the same household just want one book then we will deduct the cost of the book for the others. Assignment of a mentor will also be available.
You can sign up through Skowhegan (MSAD 54) or Messalonskee’s (RSU 18) Adult Education programs when their winter catalogs are out (early January). There is a $5 registration fee.
Class Dates: Wed., 2/12/2025; Wed., 2/19/2025; Thurs., 2/27/2025; Wed., 3/5/2025; Wed., 3/12/2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m
Location: Poulin-Turner Union Hall; 627 US-201 Skowhegan, Maine
Whitefield
Beginner Bee School with Spicer Bees
Windham
Beginner Bee School and Intermediate Bee School with Backwoods Bee Farm
Backwoods Bee Farm, 106 Page Road, Windham, Maine
Instructor: Master Beekeeper Chris Rogers Any questions please call 893-2847
2025 Beginner Bee School (in person class)
Overview: Intro to honey bees, beekeeping through the season. Field day in April.
Class One: Saturdays February 8th, 15th, & 22nd – 3 weeks 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
$100 per person includes book, or $150 per couple sharing one book. 12 people per class
Class Two: Tuesdays January 14th through February 11th – 5 weeks 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
$100 per person includes book, or $150 per couple sharing one book. 12 people per class
Intermediate Bee School (in person class)
Overview: Advanced seasonal management including nucs and backyard queen rearing.
Tuesdays March 4th – 25th – 4 weeks 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
$100 per person includes book, or $150 per couple sharing one book. 12 people per class
Littleton New Hampshire, and ZOOM
White Mountain Apiary
We are very excited to be offering in-person and online classes for our 2025 BEE SCHOOL. Lessons are presented in a format that follows a beekeeping season. This new format will help you understand the numerous tasks involved during the season and also provide you with a better understanding of why and how beekeepers manage their hive(s). This is not a step by step approach, rather the sequence of class deliveries and homework assignments that provide a logical format you can easily follow and also use as a reference when you begin and continue to manage your hive(s).
Classes will be held at the Littleton Community Center, 120 Main Street, Littleton, NH and via Zoom at the same dates and time. Classes will be recorded for those that want to participate in the class at their own pace.
- Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 9 am to noon
- Saturday, January 18, 2025 – 9 am to noon
- Saturday, January 25, 2025 – 9 am to noon
- Saturday, February 1, 2025 – 9 am to noon
- Saturday, February 8, 2025 – 9 am to noon
- Saturday, February 15, 2025 – 9 am to noon
Scheduled hands-on time in hives in May.
Cost is $175 individual/$275 couple – please register in advance so we will have class materials ready for you.
2025 Online Courses
Beekeeping for Beginners with MOFGA
$45 – $105
This is a 3 part webinar series, all sessions will be recorded & the recordings shared with registrants. We will reserve January 26 as a snow date in case of power or internet outages.
Join Master Beekeeper Karen Thurlow for three sessions to help you get ready for your first season keeping bees. She will prepare you for the earliest decisions you’ll have to make when starting out: what equipment to get (and where), how to put together a new hive and where to situate it, and what bees to order and in what “form” (package or nuc). Karen will also introduce you to the lives of bees themselves – what their roles and basic needs are – as well as what you need to look for when inspecting your hive(s), and what each of the four seasons as a beekeeper will require of you.
Free Online Courses
Many online courses and YouTube videos are helpful as a supplement to in-person Bee Schools, but they may not be an adequate substitute for local learning. Your beekeeping management must be geared to Maine’s climate conditions.
University of Guelph (Ontario)
Honey Bee Research Centre
“How-To Beekeeping Video Series” a comprehensive library of videos from getting started to more advanced topics.
National Cooperative Extension Resource
First Lessons in Beekeeping: Honey Bee Biology
Basic Beekeeping Techniques
Scientific Beekeeping
First Year Beekeeping is presented by biologist and commercial beekeeper Randy Oliver
Heroes to Hives
Free online beekeeping program for Veterans, Reservists, Active Duty or National Guard members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their adult children, spouses, partners and caregivers. www.HeroesToHives.com
Hives for Heroes
Hives for Heroes® is a national non-profit service organization focusing on sustainability, conservation, and providing a healthy transition from service. Through our national network of beekeepers, we provide connection, purpose, and healthy relationships, through access, resources, and funding for Active Duty, Veterans, and First Responders. www.hivesforheroes.com
Watch videos here to learn the step-by-step process, roles, responsibilities, and expectations of Hives for Heroes members.
