Club Apiary

The apiary provides GBA members a place to meet, learn about bees on a larger scale, and to conduct hands-on classes. Whether you just want to learn about bees, experience one million bees going about their business, or learn how to be a beekeeper, the apiary is a resource for all GBA members to get hands-on experience. Our goal is to steward healthy bees and hives, split hives and gather swarms for sale in early spring, then funnel proceeds back into the apiary and educational programs about bees.

Year-round classes for new beekeepers cover the use of tools, hive location and bee installation, feeding and treating the bees to stay healthy, hive inspections, common problems, and time tested solutions. Mentor classes introduce how to help other beekeepers with their hives, how to reuse and refurbish equipment, and how to feed, inspect, treat, split, re-queen and grow hives at a scale larger than most backyard beekeepers experience. Experience makes you a better and more confident beekeeper.

The apiary is home to feral bee colonies, many Langstroth hives, and even a few Top Bar hives. Colonies have come from donations, splits, and swarms that arrived to join the party. Contact the GBA if you have bees or equipment to donate, need a good home for a swarm you have collected, want to learn by volunteering, or would like to “adopt a hive” and harvest honey from a hive you have managed through a yearlong life cycle. Follow our adventures and progress on Facebook at #GBAApiary.

GBA members can contact the GBA for the apiary address and gate lock combination.

If you are interested in working with bees and hives, but are unable or not ready to commit to owning hives, please check out the Adopt A Hive program!