Beekeeping Courses

     There are a number of organizations offering beekeeping courses in the Vancouver area.  This is a list of some of the Schools and below is a calendar of the specific courses offered : Honeyland Canada (Pitt Meadows) (Honeyland Canada);  Urban Bee Supplies (Tsawwassen - Delta) (Urban Bee Supplies); Grande Prairie (Alberta) Regional College Commercial Beekeeping Certification Program (GPRC) (The reason I included this is that most commercial honey production in Canada is in the prairies and there is a big demand for qualified beekeepers); Blessed Bee Farm (Vancouver)- (Blessed Bee Farm); Honeybee Centre (Surrey) - (Honeybee Centre) and locally Homesteader's Emporium (Homesteader's Emporium) at 649 E. Hastings.


January (2013):

January 7th - Commercial Beekeeping Certificate Program - Grand Prairie (Alberta) Regional College - January 7-November 22, 2013

January 19th - Mason Bee Workshop - 10 a.m-12 p.m (free) - Mason bees are excellent back yard, early season pollinators. They're also very easy to maintain with the proper knowledge and information. Join us for this free course at Honeybee Centre! Learn about the lifecycle of the mason bee, how to clean and care for cocoons, how to set up your nest and much more. All supplies will be available for purchase after the course to start your very own hive of mason bees.  Information at Honeybee Centre.

January 27th - Honeybee Seminar - $39 per person - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.  Honeybees are a popular and important topic. Learn all about the lifecycle, the structure of the colony and the things that honeybees produce. This is an excellent seminar those who want to expand thei knowledge of these fascinating insects! This in-depth seminar by John Gibeau is exciting, fun, educational and sure to satisfy your curious mind.  Information at Honeybee Centre.

February:

February 3rd - Introduction to Beekeeping - 11 a.m-1:30 p.m - Join beekeeper Lianne Shyry of Two Bees Apiary for a 2.5 hour introduction into the basics of beekeeping in the urban setting. Gain an understanding of the yearly cycle of beekeeping and anatomy of a colony. Learn about components of the hive, what you’ll need to start out, and what to expect in your first year. Discussion will include potential diseases, pests and challenges of today’s beekeeping. You’ll leave with enough knowledge to get started as a backyard beekeeper!  ($20)  Information and registration at Homesteader's Emporium (649 E. Hastings)

February 16th - Mason Bees with Brian Campbell – $30 - Saturday February 16th, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Interested in increased pollination in your garden? Want to learn more about native bees? Let Brian Campbell of Blessed Bee introduce you to the world of bee husbandry. Take home a package of Blue Orchard Mason bees and the knowledge to get started this Spring.  Information and registration at Homesteader's Emporium (649 E. Hastings).

February 16th - June 1st - The Bee School with Brian Campbell – $300.  Ever wanted to learn how to set up a hive or two and keep your own honeybees? Come learn with us as Brian Campbell of Blessed Bee runs his “Bee School” right here in the shop. This in depth course will cover Spring set-up, where to get bees, hive care, pest monitoring and management, honey harvesting and more.  Dates are Feb. 16th, Mar. 09th – 23rd, Apr. 06th – 20th, May 04th – 18th and Jun. 01st. All dates 9:30am – 12:30pm.  Information and registration at Homesteader's Emporium (649 E. Hastings).

February 22-24th - 9 am - 6 pm - $249 + HST per person - $199 for second family member - How to keep bees and make honey!  This course runs over 3 days, and includes all the knowledge you will need to begin keeping bees, and is suitable for anyone interested beginning beekeeping, whether it’s 2 hives in your own back yard, or a 50 hive semi commercial beekeeping operation. The three day course is classroom based, and covers all the biology and management activities you can expect to encounter in a basic beekeeping operation. There is a 4th day included for free as a beekeeping grad: our Field Day and Winter Management Course. This day in summer is to give you some hands on review of what you learned in February and to refresh students on the steps to take in the Fall for a successful Winter!  Information at Honeybee Centre.

February 22-24th - Beekeeping Course - Level 1 - Course Length: 21 hours.  Session 1. This is a condensed course. Courses are conducted in one Friday evening (6pm to 9pm) plus one Saturday (9am to 6pm) and one Sunday (9am to 6pm). Seating is limited. Maximum 15 participants per class.  This course is designed for those who wish to learn about the basics of honeybee biology, hive products, and the fundamentals of beekeeping. Suitable for novice and hobbyist beekeepers, back yard growers, or homeotherapists.  Information and registration at Honeyland Canada.

March:

March 9-10th - Beginner Beekeeping Course - We offer a 16 hour in depth beginner beekeeping course that runs once a month starting in March.  The course runs Saturday and Sunday from 9-5.  We cover everything from the basic life of a bee, to equipment, and medications.  Includes a copy of “The Backyard Beekeeper, An Absolute Beginners guide”, and handouts.  $175 + tax  To register go to Urban Bee.

March 23-24th - The above Beginner Beekeeping Course from Urban Bee.

April:

April 13-14th - Beginner Beekeeping Course - We offer a 16 hour in depth beginner beekeeping course that runs once a month starting in March.  The course runs Saturday and Sunday from 9-5.  We cover everything from the basic life of a bee, to equipment, and medications.  Includes a copy of “The Backyard Beekeeper, An Absolute Beginners guide”, and handouts.  $175 + tax  To register go to Urban Bee.

April 16th and 18th - Introduction to Beekeeping - Learn beekeeping management, bee biology and behavior, crop pollination and management of bee diseases and pests. Emphasis will be placed on disease identification and control, including lab instruction. This 21-hour course includes a “hands-on” field visit. Other bees, including Bumble Bees and solitary bees will also be discussed. Reference materials provided. Certificate will be issued at the end of this course. (Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Langley Campus) $175
Registration and Course Information                        Payment (Cheque by mail)
Daniela Bates: 604-556-3152                                 Api Education & Service Consultants
daniela.bates@gov.bc.ca                                         #505 – 7151 Edmonds Street
Paul van Westendorp: 604-556-3129 /                     Burnaby, BC V3N 4N5
paul.vanwestendorp@gov.bc.ca                               Or pay by cash on first day of class.
Jaquie Bunse: 604-521-4493 / bunsebee@telus.net

April 26-28th - Beekeeping Course - Level 1 - Cost: $199 plus tax; textbook and handout included.
Special offer: partner/spouse 1/2 price when they take the course at the same time.  Information and registration at Honeyland Canada.

May:

May 18-19th - Beginner Beekeeping Course - We offer a 16 hour in depth beginner beekeeping course that runs once a month starting in March.  The course runs Saturday and Sunday from 9-5.  We cover everything from the basic life of a bee, to equipment, and medications.  Includes a copy of “The Backyard Beekeeper, An Absolute Beginners guide”, and handouts.  $175 + tax  To register go to Urban Bee.

May 12 - June 29th - The Richmond Beekeepers Association has planned to hold 5 workshops in the coming months.  If there is further demand more will be arranged.  Workshops will be held at the Terra Nova sharing farm in Richmond and all workshops will begin at the Red Barn directly north of the main parking lot.  Some of these workshops will be done in close proximity to colonies of bees and therefore suitable beekeeping gear should be brought along.  The fee structure will be $30 for members and $35 for non member per 4 hour workshop (1- 5 p.m.), and $15 for members and $20 for non members for 2 hour workshops.  Of the 5 workshops currently planned all will be in the 4 hour category

 Schedule:

       May 12        Starting out a new colony

       May 26        Making nucleus colonies

       June 2          Top Bar Hive management

       June 9           Making queens the easy way

       June 29         Grafting Queens


     Priority will be given to people on a first come first serve basis.  If workshops do not get a minimum of 6 people attending the workshop will be cancelled and refunds returned.  Lianne has set up a paypal account and details will follow shortly for people who wish to use that method of payment.  You can also pay cash at the next meeting to Mathew or myself this Tuesday night.

      If anyone has any questions please feel free to send me an email crosby_e@hotmail.com
     

June:

June 1st - Beekeeping Course - Level 2 - 9:30am-5:30pm - Cost: $99 plus tax; handouts+ grafting tool included.  Course content covers: swarm control and hive splitting; 2 queen system colonies; Queen bee rearing; hive re-Queening; production and processing of hive products (bee venom, pollen, propolis and royal jelly); making creamy honey.  Information and registration at Honeyland Canada.

June 15th - Beekeeping Course - Level 3 - 9:00 AM-5:00 pm.  Cost: $150 plus tax; handouts included. This course is suitable for sideline or commercial beekeepers. Course content covers:  Queen Selection and breeding program; certification of your honey house.  Information and registration at Honeyland Canada.

July:

July 28th - 9 am - 6 pm - Free to 2013 graduates of our Basic Beekeeping course.  All other students: $19.00 + HST. Second Family member is $12.00.  Refresh your knowledge and get some hands on experience in this Field Day course. Manipulate a hive and use this as an opportunity to ask questions to your Instructor. You will also be given information and reminders of the steps needed for the Fall to ensure your hives thrive through the winter and emerge strong in the spring. A must for beginners and an excellent refresher for other beginners!  Information at Honeybee Centre.

September:

September 22nd - Honeybee Seminar - $39 per person - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Honeybees are a popular and important topic. Learn all about the lifecycle, the structure of the colony and the things that honeybees produce. This is an excellent seminar those who want to expand thei knowledge of these fascinating insects! This in-depth seminar by John Gibeau is exciting, fun, educational and sure to satisfy your curious mind.   Information at Honeybee Centre.

November:

November 16th - 10 am - 12 pm - Free!  Mason bees are excellent back yard, early season pollinators. They're also very easy to maintain with the proper knowledge and information. Join us for this free course at Honeybee Centre! Learn about the lifecycle of the mason bee, how to clean and care for cocoons, how to set up your nest and much more. All supplies will be available for purchase after the course to start your very own hive of mason bees.  Information at Honeybee Centre.

One on One Beekeeping: (from Urban Bee)

This is a unique course we offer for those that would like to learn one on one.  The first class takes place at our apiary where you learn the basics.  We go into our hives, all the while teaching you what to look for and how to manage your bees correctly.  We will then come to your home with all the supplies you need, including the bees, and set them up with you.  We will be there through the summer while you learn to master the hobby yourself.  From there we will schedule a visit every few weeks and assist you with your hive.  This experience will get you the best bang for your buck, as you have an experienced beekeeper there with you.  We will always have more equipment on hand to expand your hive, and you don’t have to worry about not having everything you need.  With this special course you are guaranteed to end your first year of beekeeping with a lot more knowledge then by reading any book.  Each visit takes approximately one hour, with the first class being about 2 hours.  There is a maximum of 2 people per one on one, additional charge for extra students.       

Cost: $50/hour + plus the cost of equipment and applicable taxes.  For information go to Urban Bee.

Bee Masters Course 2014
The Ministry of Agriculture will offer the biennial Bee Masters Course again in February 2014. In case you would like to be notified by email when course details become available online, please submit your name and contact details to Paul.vanWestendorp@gov.bc.ca. Course details are expected to be available in the fall of 2013.