2013 Beekeeping Class Series

Bee part of the solution! Come join us in discovering the amazing world of honeybees.

Its not too late to sign up for our bee series. Call Megan and she will pro-rate the class price for you to account for the classes you missed.  (303) 443-9952

These workshops were designed support new beekeepers through the first season and meant to be taken as a series. Participants have an opportunity to learn this fascinating skill with the support the instructor and a community of other new beekeepers.  Our class will take you through an entire season with your bees.

Class materials and methods will focus on the Top Bar Hive, a natural means of raising bees. Top Bar Hives are an appropriate technology hive; they have proven to be a great system for backyard and small scale hobbyist. All hive methods can be taught and addressed.

Location: Classes are held at the Growing Gardens Greenhouse 1630 Hawthorn Ave Boulder, CO 80304 Time: 9am to 12 Cost: $400 per person this includes a $20 instructional materials fee and supplies. Beekeepers with some experience are welcome to register and drop-in any class for a fee of $60.00

Instructor Tracy Bellehumeur has been raising her own bees for 5 years using organic methods. She is an avid gardener, crafter, mother and engineer. The beekeeping series has been designed by Julie Finley-Ridinger, a Top Bar beekeeper of 15 years. An interview with Tracy can be found at: www.inspiredbeeing.com/2011/06/09/thefarmgirls/.

To register click here: Beekeeping Classes

Growing Gardens sells Top Bar bee hives in early March.  We are sold out for 2013 but check back with us next year. They are handmade by a local craftsman and the proceeds from the sales support our programs.

For registration questions contact Megan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For programming questions contact Tracy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Class Schedule and Content Brief

Class I: Introduction to Top Bar Beekeeping

Date: Saturday, March 9th Time: 9:00-12:00

This class will cover expectations and an introduction to keeping bees in your back yard.  We will have an opportunity to meet our fellow beekeepers. There will be a demonstration hive available for inspection and plans for building your own top bar hive.

Class II: Understanding the Bees

Date: Sunday, April 7th Time: 9:00-12:00

In this class we will focus on basic honeybee biology, the caste and rolls of bees that live in a colony and cover the ecology of honeybees. In the lab we will learn about hive preparation, location, how to install packaged bees or swarms, and what to look for in your new expanding colony.

Class III: Honeybee Colony Care I

Date: Saturday, April 27th Time: 9:00-12:00 

In this class we will share how our colonies are settling in.  You will learn how to handle combs, trouble-shoot problems, manage build-up, and maintain the overall health. The lab will apply the knowledge gained from the class through hands-on beekeeping. 

Class IV: Honeybee Colony Care II

Date: Saturday, June 1st Time: 9:00-12:00

We will review how to maintain healthy colonies and discuss nectar sources and methods of understanding nectar flows. In the lab we will review proper handling of the combs, assessing queen vitality and brood development and we will learn how to observe brood patterns and colony strength through the seasons.

Class V: Practical Lab I *off-site* 

Date: Saturday, June 29th Time: 9:00-1:00

In this lab you will have the opportunity to gain confidence and familiarity with honeybees and learn how to work a top-bar hive successfully. You will gain knowledge in how to manage hives for optimum honey production and colony health. We may begin to harvest honeycomb.

Class VI: Practical Lab II *off-site*

Date: Saturday, August 3rd Time: 9:00-1:00

This lab will give you a chance to improve your skills and gain more experience handling combs and bees. We may be able to harvest honey. We will discuss and practice sustainable techniques for monitoring and preventing diseases and parasites.

Class VII: Fall and Winter Care

Date: Saturday, September 7th Time: 9:00-12:00

In this class we will review methods and preparations for maintaining a healthy hive. We will also learn alternative honey processing techniques. We will also learn the steps needed to prepare the hives for winter and demonstrate a variety of winterization techniques unique to top bar hive management.

Class VIII: Honeybees Give Us More than Honey

Date: Saturday, October 5th Time: 9:00-1:00

Here we will learn how to process wax and how to make mold candles, salves, medicinal honey syrup, honey ointment and lip balms. This practical lab will be devoted to making samples of these various products and enjoying the fruits of your labor.

See what our 2012 students had to say about our beekeeping class series:

"I've gained a great deal of confidence which allows me to work in my hive. I understand the life cycle of bees, how to identify a healthy queen, how to identify worker brood, drone brood, workers, drones, queens, how to keep my bees healthy and strong."

"Tracy has been an amazing teacher! She is so eager to share resources with students and is very passionate about bees! She inspires confidence in students!"

"The best part was actually getting into a hive. It was also helpful to hear about the experience of other bee keepers."

"Tracy has been such a wonderful teacher! Her passion and enthusiasm for bees is infectious and I very much appreciate how available she has been to support students outside of class and her sharing of resources with the students."

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