Become a Beekeeper
Interested in getting started with bees? Or do you already have bees but want to know more about how to be the best steward for them? We have three different levels of learning here at Ivory Acres that will help build your foundation as a beekeeper. Choose from our Introduction Mini Course, Colony Care Course, or our Introduction Maxi Course. Read more about each class below, then head on over to our shop to see when each course is available and to sign up.
Introduction to Beekeeping Mini Course
This is an in-person classroom course that will jump start your journey into beekeeping. It is designed for beginners and will cover a snippet of beekeeping history, cover the basics of bee biology, go over bee nutrition, as well as hive types, purchasing bees, setting up your apiary, and touch on beekeeper tools and gear. This class is 3 hours of learning.
What to bring to class: Notebook, pen
$60.00
Colony Care Course
This is a hands-on course that takes your beekeeping knowledge to the next level. In this course, we will dive deep into inspecting your hives as well as discuss beekeeping through the seasons. We will touch briefly on pest management and then will spend the rest of our time in the bee yard practicing lighting our smokers and conducting hive inspections in our Ivory Acres’ Apiary. This class is 3 hours of learning.
What to bring: Your beekeeping protective gear (veil and leather gloves at minimum), a bee smoker if you have one, and something to take notes in.
$90.00
Introduction to Beekeeping Maxi Course
This is a combination course that combines the two classes above for avid learners who want it ALL!. It is a full day of learning (6 hours plus a lunch break) that includes both classroom and hands-on learning in our Ivory Acres’ Apiary, covering all of the topics mentioned above. You will leave class with a solid understanding of bees and will be able to hit the ground running to care for your own hives with confidence.
What to bring: Your beekeeping protective gear (veil and leather gloves at minimum), a bee smoker if you have one, and something to take notes in.
$150.00
Please Note: We have beginner beekeeping tool sets available for purchase. Each set includes your bee smoker, two hive tools, and a bee brush. You can add them to your cart and we will have them here for you on the day of class, or you can email us to schedule a time to pick them up in advance if desired. And if you need guidance on selecting your protective gear, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line. We are always happy to help!
