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  SPRING 2012 extension
BEEKEEPING CLASSES

Offered at HSU or in Southern Humboldt!

Honeybees pollinate the crops that we depend on for many of the foods we eat. In recent decades, economic and environmental challenges have led to a major decline in the number of honeybees in North America.

In response, more people want to learn to keep bees in their own backyard.

These beekeeping courses will provide the information, hands-on experience and confidence anyone will need to succeed as a backyard beekeeper.

These courses involve field trips to sites outside of the HSU campus. Participants are required to complete a Release of Liability form.

Practical Beekeeping[bee image]

Learn the basics of how to keep honeybees for pollination and to produce honey and other products. Topics include bee biology, life cycle and social organization, and colony management techniques.

We will cover both conventional and alternative methods for keeping bees healthy and coping with the common bee diseases and parasites. You will learn practical, hands-on skills while visiting local beeyards on several field trips.

Also, you will have the opportunity to purchase hive equipment and package bees at a substantial discount in order to start your own honeybee colonies.

Choose one of two sessions offered:

Session 1 at HSU:

date ..... Wed., Feb. 8-May 9 (no class March 14) plus four Sat.: Feb. 18, March 17, April 14, May 12

time ..... Wed. 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Sat. 2:30-4:30 p.m.

fee ..... $120, $50 additional for each unit of credit (optional)

place ..... SCIB 133

instr ..... Garrett Brinton

course ..... EENC X014, 27744

credit ..... ZOOL X315, 1-2 units (CR/NC), 27877/27878

Session 2 in Southern Humboldt:

date ..... Thurs., Feb. 9-May 10 (no class March 15) plus four Sat.: Feb. 25, March 24, April 21, May 19

time ..... Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Sat. 2:30-4:30 p.m.

fee ..... $120, $50 additional for each unit of credit (optional),

place ..... South Fork High School, 6831 Ave. of the Giants, Miranda, Room C-10,
               located in the portable behind the cafeteria

instr ..... Garrett Brinton

course ..... EENC X014, 27745

credit ..... ZOOL X315, 1-2 units (CR/NC), 27879/27880

 

Advanced Practical Beekeeping

This class is for those who already keep bees and/or have taken Practical Beekeeping.

Gain more knowledge and hands-on experience to maximize beekeeping success, with an emphasis on dealing effectively with some of the more complicated beekeeping problems. An important part of the class will be discussing developments and challenges in your own hives.

Spring is the most important time of the beekeeper’s year as the bees are building up their population to collect honey in early summer. Each week (weather permitting), we will inspect local hives, see what kind of problems and needs arise, and explore a range of alternatives for dealing with these challenges.

Some situations that we will encounter are hive and queen assessment, loss of queen, requeening, dividing and combining hives, avoiding starvation and robbing problems, feeding, monitoring for common diseases and parasites, and both conventional and alternative options for treating these conditions.

Choose one of two sessions offered:

Session 1 at HSU:

date ..... Sat., Feb. 4; Feb. 18; March 3, March 17; March 31; April 14; April 28; May 12

time ..... 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

fee ..... $120, $50 additional for credit (optional)

place ..... UIHS Potowat Farm: 1600 Weeot Way, Arcata

instr ..... Garrett Brinton

course ..... EENC X014, 27746

credit ..... ZOOL X315, 1 unit (CR/NC), 27881

Session 2 in Southern Humboldt:

date ..... Sat., Feb. 11, Feb. 25; March 10; March 24; April 7; April 21; May 5; May 19

time ..... 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

fee ..... $120, $50 additional for credit (optional)

place ..... So. Humboldt Community Park, 934 Sprowl Creek Rd., Garberville

instr ..... Garrett Brinton

course ..... EENC X014, 27747

credit ..... ZOOL X315, 1 unit (CR/NC),27882



Garrett Brinton manages 40 honeybee colonies located in Bayside, Sunny Brae, Trinidad, Westhaven, Hoopa and Redway, producing local honey and beeswax.

 

 

To be notified of future offerings of "Practical Beekeeping," be sure to get on the Office of Extended Education mailing list.