Beginning Beekeeping Class – Lone Oak Honey Company

Link for 2023 classes:

Topic: Beginning Beekeeper Class
Feb 14, 2023 06:30 PM
Feb 21, 2023 06:30 PM
Skip Feb 28, 2023
Mar 7, 2023 06:30 PM
Mar 14, 2023 06:30 PM
Snow date or extra class if needed Mar 21, 2023 06:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82320066437?pwd=WTUvMFNlRWwyL1lYQWkxeWtvdnROdz09

Meeting ID: 823 2006 6437
Passcode: 959744

Free Beekeeping Class: “Is beekeeping right for you?”

If you missed the first class you can watch the recording:

Beginning Beekeeping Class: Session 1 Jan. 17, 2023.

Session 2 of Beginning Beekeeping Class Feb 14, 2023

Session 3 Feb 21, 2023

Join us January 17th, 2023, at 6:30 pm at the Woodbury County Extension office, 4728 Southern Hills Dr, Sioux City, IA 51106, for a free 2-hour introductory beekeeping class, sponsored by the Siouxland Beekeepers Club, taught by John Anderson of Lone Oak Honey Company. Also offered on Zoom:

The free class will answer basic questions such as: How much time and money will be involved in getting started with beekeeping? What equipment will you need? Protective clothing? Where should you locate your beehives? Where can you buy bees? Plus you’ll meet experienced beekeepers who will be happy to help you get started on your journey into this fascinating hobby.

If you decide to continue, the cost of the additional classes is $75. The classes will be on February 14, February 21, March 7 and March 14. All classes start at 6:30 pm at the Extension office.

Why take a beginning beekeeping class?

Most people have had enough exposure to gardening or fishing that they could start those hobbies without having to do much research or take a class. Beekeeping is not something most people have any exposure to and that makes it difficult to get off to a good start without some research or training. If you take up fishing and you don’t know what you are doing probably the worst thing that can happen is you won’t catch any fish. If you take up beekeeping and you don’t know what you are doing your bees may suffer or even die. A beginning beekeeper class can give you the tools you need to prevent that from happening.

If you have questions you can use the email address below to get answers.

Links to lesson documents from previous classes and suggested podcasts and reading can be found below

Before you decide to keep bees you should find out if your city ordinances will allow you to keep bees where you live. Check out the links for Iowa at the Iowa Honey Producers Association website here: https://www.iowahoneyproducers.org/iowa-bee-laws

For any beginners, I would recommend the book “Beekeeping Basics” produced by Penn State. You can get a free PDF version of the book at: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CAES/DOCUMENTS/Bee/Penn_State_Beekeeping_Basics_agrs93.pdf?la=en

A print version is available for $10. The photos are in black and white so I would stay with the free PDF. But $10 is still pretty cheap. You can buy it here: https://extension.psu.edu/beekeeping-basics#:~:text=Beekeeping%20Basics%20provides%20information%20on,a%20glossary%20and%20an%20appendix.

Check out this 4 part series on getting started in beekeeping from Beekeeping Today podcast. https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/how-to-get-started-with-bees-part-1-s2-e16

Part 2: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/how-to-get-started-with-bees-part-2-s2-e17

Part 3: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/how-to-get-started-with-bees-part-3-s2-e18

Part 4: https://beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/how-to-get-started-with-bees-part-4-s2-e19