James Haskell Classes

Becoming a Beekeeper Class

Ever wondered how to become a beekeeper?

Join our free class and find out what you need to get started! No prior experience necessary, this course is designed to help anyone considering caring for their own bees.

We will explain the necessary tools, hive components, and safety gear. You will learn the difference between starting your colony with a bee package vs a nuc. And build up your understanding of what to expect throughout the beekeeping year. Finally, the most important thing to take away is where you can go for help when you don't know what to do. We scheduled this class before the holidays so you can treat yourself with the gift of bee supplies and a future hive!

Gilroy Beekeepers Association (GBA) has been supporting local hobby beekeepers and bringing those curious about bees together for over 20 years. Our members range from experienced beekeepers to complete newbies. Members benefit from regular meetings, access to great speakers and training opportunities like this one - the ideal combination for learning and sharing about beekeeping.

Class Was Held:
- Thursday, Oct 26, 7-8 PM:  Zoom
- Saturday, Oct 28, 9-11 AM:  Hands-On at GBA Apiary,

Cost:  FREE!

We will be covering:

Class Photos – Oct 26, 2023

We plan on offering similar classes over this winter and early spring. Please check our website for future classes. 

 

James Haskell Beekeeping, Classes

You’re Getting Your Bees – Now What?

Ever wondered how to get started as a beekeeper?

Join our two-part class and find out everything you need to know to get started! No prior experience necessary, this course is designed to help anyone new to beekeeping gain confidence to care for their own bees.

Gilroy Beekeepers Association (GBA) has been supporting local hobby beekeepers and bringing those curious about bees together for over 20 years. Our members range from experienced beekeepers to complete newbies. Members benefit from regular meetings, access to great speakers, and training opportunities like this one - the ideal combination for learning and sharing about beekeeping.

We will be kicking off our You're Getting Your Bees - Now What? (A.K.A. "Introduction to Beekeeping") with a virtual Zoom meeting on Wednesday evening, March 23 at 7PM, and follow up with a hands-on session in the field on Saturday, March 26 at 9AM.

When: 
- Wednesday, March 23 at 7PM via Zoom
- Saturday, March 26 at 9AM in the field, location TBA

Location:  Zoom and field location to be announced

Instructors:  Master Beekepers and GBA Members - Sara Cutrignelli (UC Davis) and Arthur Kubogamell (Cornell)

Cost: $80.00 per person

Click here to enroll.

Day 1: online
Wednesday, March 23 at 7PM

Join experienced and master beekeepers via Zoom for the first in our two-part course. You will hear and see:

  • Why keep bees...not just for the honey
  • Basic bee biology and life cycle
  • Choosing which bees are best for you and how to install them
  • Local regulations
  • Hive setup, configuration and placement
  • Pest issues
  • How to do a hive inspection
  • Protective equipment needed (before next session!)

Note: attendance at this online class is a prerequisite to the field class this weekend.

Day 2: at the bee yard
Saturday, March 26

Here's your chance to put into practice what you have learned the previous week. Get together with experienced beekeeper mentors and find out how to:

  • Properly wear all protective equipment
  • Use all tools
  • How to light and use your smoker
  • How to open a hive
  • Recognize each of the bee castes (queen, drone, worker) cells
  • Identify brood cells, honey storage cells, capped and uncapped cells
  • How to install bee packages and nucs
  • Look for pests

Note: don't delay! Each participant is expected to bring personal protective equipment (PPE) including veil, jacket, gloves and boots, to this class. PPE is available at these establishments: