Every year the Wilson County Beekeepers host a Beginner Beekeeping School. It is one of the most fun events that we as a club put on. We get to educate people about honey bees and introduce them to the world of beekeeping.

Our goal for the class is to teach you about honey bee biology, their importance to the environment and the food supply, how you can help honey bees and last but not least, how you can start keeping honey bees in your own back yard.

The class is organized as a session on a Saturday in the classroom. After the classroom session, we do three hands-on days in our club apiary where you will get the opportunity to learn to light a smoker and do an inspection of a live hive.

Once you take the class and become a member of the club, you are welcome to come to as many of our apiary days as you want. Your learning adventure does not end once the class is over. We normally hold apiary days every weekend during the busy season and you will get to participate in all the different activities that you will do as a beekeeper: making splits, collecting honey, checking for mites, treating for mites, and everything in-between.

What's Typically Included

Classroom instruction and guided apiary practice over several Saturdays
A course textbook
Club membership for the year
Lunch during the classroom day
An opportunity to take both your written and practical tests for the Certified level of the Master Beekeeper Program

Next School

Our next Beginner Beekeeping School is expected in March 2027. Registration typically opens in the fall. Check back here or come to one of our monthly meetings for updates.

In the meantime, you can join the club to get access to our apiary days and hands-on learning opportunities right away.