Home     MSBA Chapters     MSBA Library     MSBA Speakers     State Inspector    Bee Information


2006 Maine Beekeeping Schools and Classes

Knox - Lincoln County Beekeepers is hosting a Queen Rearing Seminar with Tony Jadczak.  They extend an invitation to all beekeepers across the state to attend.  It begins with an evening class to learn about the technique followed by an outdoor demonstration in a local apiary.   Learn how to raise your own queens ~ or just come to watch and learn.  Cost is $10. 

Classroom experience is Wednesday, May 24, 2006 beginning at  6:30 p.m. at the Knox Lincoln County Extension Office, Manktown Road in Waldoboro. Refreshments will be served.  Directions are found at: http://www.klcbee.com/klcb/meetings.shtml

Outdoor session is planned for Saturday, May 27, 2006 ~ 12 noon (rain date Sunday, May 28) Home of George and Nancy Fergusson, 326 Jefferson Road, Whitefield.  Bring your picnic lunch, a lawn chair and a dessert to share.  There will be some limited hands-on activities, but this session is primarily a demonstration.  Directions are found at:  http://klcbee.com/klcb/FergussonDirections.pdf

If you plan to attend or have questions, please make contact by May 17th.  You may reach host George Fergusson at:  gsferg@sweettimeapiary.com (or call 549-5991); or President Dick Vose at:  godslove@tidewater.net  (or call 563-7564).

  Instructor, Tony Jadczak, gets the 

       Tony's assistant show's the
  Cumberland Bee School started.
        class protective clothing.

          


 
Cumberland County - Introduction to Beekeeping
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service will sponsor a 5 week Introductory Beekeeping Class beginning Monday, February 27 - March 27, 2006.  The class will be held at the Pineland Campus Visitors Center on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The fee is $75 per person / couple.  Contents of the course includeThe Honey Bee Colony Constructing Hives and Spring Management, Summer and Fall Management and Honey Production, Wintering Hives / Identification and Control of Brood Diseases, Parasites and Predators, and a Beekeepers Field Day.  The course will also feature 2 field sessions during the summer.  Instructors include: Tony Jadczak, Bob Egan and Dick Brzozowski.  For reservations and more information Contact: Julie Anderson at U Maine Cooperative Extension 1-800-287-1471 or 207-780-4205.  E-mail: janderson@umext.maine.edu.

Cumberland County - Introduction to Beekeeping - The class of 2006, March 27


Knox-Lincoln County - Beekeeping A to Z
One of the most popular courses in MSAD #40 Adult Education, begins  March 8  at Medomak Valley HS, Manktown Road, Adult Education, begins  March 8  Waldoboro.  This course provides new beekeepers with enough knowledge to be successful at keeping bees and is a helpful refresher course for intermediate beekeepers.  The course covers bee biology, equipment, seasonal management, disease control and and hive   products.  Classes are taught by experienced beekeepers from the Maine State Beekeepers Association (MSBA) and Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers (KLCB).  This school is held on 6 consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.  Course fee: $40.   If you are interested in taking this class and know that you want to keep bees in 2006, we ask that you call us at 563-7564 so we can explain how to order your bees for the coming year.  Check the KLCB Chapter web site for more information:  www.klcbee.com. Contact: Dick & Jean Vose, 563-7564, or MSAD #40            Adult Education 832-5205.


Sagadahoc County - Beekeeping for Beginners
Master Beekeeper Rick Cooper will conduct a 4-day course for beginning beekeepers from his home and shop in Bowdoinham.  March 11, 25, April 8 are Saturday class work days (9am-3pm) and April 22 (10am-2pm) is set aside for open hive work.  The fee for the course is $40 for the first family member and $25 for each additional member.  The course will cover all the information the new beekeeper needs to know to assemble equipment, get the bees, manage the bees through the season, harvest the crop, & winter the bees over for the next season.  On the last Saturday, students who purchase bees and wish to take up beekeeping will be able to take their bees home with them.  Class 1: Discuss equipment needs & do vocabulary.  Assemble a hive ready for bees.  Discuss races of bees & their attributes.  Discuss flowering plants & their value to beekeeping.  Class 2: Discuss seasonal management of bees.  Discuss honey crop removal & processing.  Class 3: Discuss the life cycle of the honey bee.  Discuss bee diseases & pests. Review medication protocols.  Class 4: Install package bee in the hive.  Open & examine over-wintered hives. Contact: Rick Cooper, 666-5643.


Tri-County and Down East
Classes begin March 2nd and are scheduled for Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in Ellsworth at the Extension office at 63 Boggy Brook Road.  Enrollment fee is $75.00 per person / couple.  Course texts are included as part of the enrollment fee.  Contents of the course include The Honey Bee Colony, Constructing Hives and Spring Management, Summer and Fall Management and Honey Production, Wintering Hives / Identification and Control of Brood Diseases, Parasites and Predators, and a Beekeepers Field Day.  Questions about the course can be addressed to Andrew Dewey, Andrew@beeberrywoods.com or 244-9434.


Western Maine Beekeepers Annual Bee School
This is a 12 week course that meets Wednesdays, from 7-9pm, Jan 18-April 12 at Mountain Valley HS in Rumford.  People arrive at 6:30 pm for class set-up, discussion, or questions.  The cost is $25 ($15 for books & supplies and $10 for annual membership dues.  Students receive book/course notebook on the their first evening, which helps if classes are missed.  Current members are encouraged to attend at no cost.  Classes are taught by beekeepers from MSBA and multiple members of WMBA.  Schedule-Jan 18-Registration at 6 pm, introductions, overview; Jan 25- Bee biology, races of bees, acquiring bees; Feb 1-Bee requirements, apiary location, smoker, reading frames; Feb 8-Beekeeping equipment, hands-on workshop (Rick Cooper); Feb 15-The queen, re-queening, pheromones; Mar 1-Spring management, pollinating, swarming; Mar 8-Late summer (August) management,  combining hives; Mar 15-honey harvest, comb honey; Mar 22-“Bee pests” (Tony Jadczak);  Mar 29-Review,  beekeeping tips and toolbox;  April 5-“Bee pasture & Maine honey plants” (Matt Scott); April 12-TBD or makeup day.  In addition, we will meet on the following dates: April 26 and May 3-Advanced sessions. May 20, June 24, and Aug 26-Open Hives.  July 22-Annual picnic.  Contact: Carol Cottrill, WMBAmail@msn.com, 364-0917 or Nick Kelley, bakelley39@yahoo.com, 364-4121.
Home     MSBA Chapters     MSBA Library     MSBA Speakers     State Inspector    Bee Information