The Rhode Island Beekeepers Association is once again offering in-person beginner beekeeping courses.  The course is five weeks long and will start in late January 2025. 

The course covers everything the beginning beekeeper needs to know and showcases a variety of beekeeping equipment demonstrations and displays. Subjects will include: getting started, the honeybee life cycle, choosing an apiary site, buying bees and equipment, assembly of the hive, installing package bees, catching swarms, nectar sources, bee diseases and pests, hive inspections, and wintering.

There are four course offerings. Each course covers the same content; the only difference between courses are the dates, location, and instructor.

Class options are:

Rhode Island College: Friday 9am-11:30am on 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14 and 2/21 (snow date: 2/28); with instructor Betty Mencucci

Rhode Island College: Saturday 9am-11:30am on 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15 and 2/22 (snow date: 3/1) with instructor Betty Mencucci

University of Rhode Island: Thursday 6:30pm-9pm on 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 and 3/6 (snow date: 3/13) with instructor Stephen Burke

University of Rhode Island: Saturday 9:30am-12pm on 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1 and 3/8 (snow date: 3/15) with instructor Stephen Burke

The cost of $100 includes all course materials, a textbook and membership dues in the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association.  If space is available, additional family members at the same address may attend and share course materials for a small additional charge of $20.00. Advance registration is required.

To enroll, go to www.ribeekeeper.org and click on the Bee School link.

Have Questions?  Please contact Betty Mencucci - bmencucci@verizon.net or
401-568-8449