Please note: Due to the pandemic, the teaching practices of the practical training has been adapted to the government guidelines. For this reason, there are a restricted number of practical places available to first year beekeepers which have now been filled, but we are still offering Online Theory and Mentoring Sessions via Zoom and Facebook.
Learn Beekeeping - How will BeeEducated 2021 work?
Due to popular demand the combined theory and practical sessions for 2021 are fully booked but we are excited to invite First Year Learner Beekeepers to our Online Theory and Mentoring programme which is facilitated using Zoom and our private Facebook group.
The course has been designed to give an in-depth view into the art (and science) of beekeeping during a full season. There is a commitment of around 3 hours a week from the start of January through to October.
The training
The aim is to give you as much knowledge of beekeeping between January and April through theoretical sessions so that by April, you will have the best start to the beekeeping season. The theory is delivered on a Sunday evening at 18:30 via 'Zoom' and consists of a laid-back presentation with scenarios, videos, accounts of previous learners and a Q&A session. At the end of the session, you will be given a quiz sheet which you can complete and submit for feedback before the next session.
| Zoom room at 6:30pm | Topic |
|---|---|
| Sunday 03 January 2021 | Induction & Q&A |
| Sunday 10 January 2021 | The colony |
| Sunday 17 January 2021 | Starting right with bees |
| Sunday 24 January 2021 | Honey production colonies & feeding |
| Sunday 31 January 2021 | Bee Improvement |
| Sunday 07 February 2021 | Queen rearing |
| Sunday 14 February 2021 | Making an increase |
| Sunday 21 February 2021 | Swarming |
| Sunday 28 February 2021 | Handling and Examining Bee Colonies |
| Sunday 07 March 2021 | Managing Varroa |
| Sunday 14 March 2021 | Apiary & Hive Hygiene |
| Sunday 21 March 2021 | Disease Recognition |
| Sunday 28 March 2021 | Production hives, Cell builders and Queen banks |
| Sunday 04 April 2021 | NBU & The Law |
For updates and learning activities as they happen, we use a private Facebook group to share videos, images, tasks and stories which we encourage everyone to participate in (even if it’s a dummy account).
When the theory has ended, beekeepers that have hives at home inspect their colonies weekly and add hive records containing images and videos of what is happening in their hives. Comments will be made to give suggestions on things to look for, what to do next and what to plan ahead.
Following on from the theory sessions, the weekly zoom sessions will become mentors and support sessions where inspections are discussed and explored further.
Costs
The cost of the Online Only - Theory and Mentoring sessions each week between January and October on Sundays at 18:30 and access to our Private Facebook Group is £60.
Enrolment closes on Sunday 10/01/2020 at 16:00
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