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2013 Classes
Certificate in Natural Topbar Beekeeping
Designed for beekeepers who would like to learn every aspect of beekeeping and turn their learning into a vocation. These classes are taken as a series and include detailed instruction regarding:
- obtaining bees, understanding genetic variance and races of honeybees available on the market
- bee biology
- hive design and construction
- spring comb management, swarm suppression techniques
- summer comb management, making divides
- disease management, requeening hives, recognizing disease symptoms
- harvesting honey
- marketing hive products
- making wax products such as lip balms, salves and candles
- raising queens
- catching swarms and doing hive removals
- landscaping for bee forage
- pollination contracts
- winter management
The 2013 certificate classes will be held on the following Saturdays in Santa Fe, NM from 10 am - 5 pm. Directions will be sent out prior to the first class.
- Introduction to Beekeeping - April 20
- Spring Hive Maintenance - May 18
- Catching Swarms and Hive Removals - June 15
- Summer Hive Maintenance - June 29
- Queen Raising - July 13
- Fall Hive Maintenance - August 25
- Making Wax Products - October 5
The cost of the certificate course is $650 with a non-refundable deposit due by April 1st. These classes may also be taken on a drop-in basis for $100 per class. Students who complete the whole series will receive a certification diploma. Limited scholarships are available for this class; please contact us via email to find out more.
Backyard Beekeeping
This series of classes is designed for the backyard beekeeper who wants to learn beekeeping as a hobby. The classes may either be taken as a series or individually.
- Introduction to Beekeeping - This class will introduce students to beekeeping, help them to understand basic bee biology and hive architecture, and familiarize them with what being a beekeeper entails in terms of time commitment and the equipment required.
- Spring Hive Maintenance - This class covers the honeybee hive when it is in its growth and expansion stage. Students will learn the basics of hive propagation, swarming, queen development and what to expect from a healthy hive.
- Summer Hive Maintenance - In this class, students will learn how to harvest honey, look for and recognize signs of disease or queen weakness, how to make divides of full hives, and requeen hives that are failing.
- Fall Hive Maintenance - In this class, the hives will be evaluated for their preparedness for winter, winter hive maintenance techniques will be discussed and weak hives will be combined.
- Making Wax Products - This hands-on class will be spent making lip balm, salve and candles. Students will learn about how to melt and process their own beeswax and the many ways in which it can be utilized in arts and crafts.
The Albuquerque, NM classes will be held at the Open Space Center on Coors Blvd. on the following Sundays. Directions will be sent out prior to the first class.
- Introduction to Beekeeping - April 21
- Spring Hive Maintenance - May 12
- Summer Hive Maintenance - June 30
- Fall Hive Maintenance - Sept. 8
- Making Wax Products - October 6
The Taos, NM classes will be held on the following Saturdays at 15 Atilano Lane, El Prado, NM. Directions will be sent out prior to the first class.
- Introduction to Beekeeping - May 4
- Spring Hive Maintenance - May 25
- Summer Hive Maintenance - July 6
- Fall Hive Maintenance - August 17
- Making Wax Products - September 28
The Backyard Beekeeping series costs $60 per class or $275 for the series. The classes will take place from 12 pm - 5 pm in both Albuquerque and Taos, NM.