Beekeeping Courses in NC

NOTICE to NCSBA County Chapters:  To have your beekeeping course listed here, send complete information to the .  If you plan to offer the Certified Beekeeper written test following the course, you must follow these instructions at least 4 weeks in advance.

Concluded  2007-2008 Courses, listed in chronological order.

Orange County (Hillsborough) Concluded

Title:	Honey Bee Basics
Begins:	Sept. 20, Sept. 27, and Oct. 4, 2007 for one evening
When:	Thursdays, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where:	County Extension Office, 306 Revere Road, Hillsborough (map)
Cost:	Free (but limited number enrollment)
Sponsor:	Orange County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	This isn't an in-depth course, but rather is intended as a first step for people who are considering beekeeping or are fairly new at it. There will be a bit of basic biology, a bit of 'how to', some 'show-and-tell', and a whole lot of Q&A and discussion. Three sessions will be held, each repeating the same content, so choose a date that is most convenient for you.
Contact:

Alamance County (Burlington) Concluded

Title:	Beginning Beekeeping Course
Begins:	January 8, 2008 (for 10 weeks)
When:	Tuesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where:	Cooperative Extension Service/Agricultural Building, 209 North Graham-Hopedale Road, Burlington-- two blocks north of North Church Street (US 70) and across the street from the old Western Electric Plant
Cost:	$5 plus $22 for (optional) handbook
Sponsor:	Alamance County Beekeepers
Additional Information:	Our classroom sessions will be followed by a 4-hour Field Day, Saturday, March 22
Contact:

Henderson County (Fletcher) Concluded

Title:	Beekeeping Course
Begins:	January 14, 2008 (for 6 weeks)
When:	Mondays 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where:	Mountain Horticultural Research and Extension Center, 455 Research Drive, Fletcher, NC
Cost:	Free
Sponsor:	NC Cooperative Extension and the Henderson County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	At completion of the Short Course you should be able to set up and maintain your own colony of honeybees. This is a free course but you must pre-register, because space is limited.
Contact:

Caswell County (Yanceyville) Concluded

Title:	Beginners Beekeeping Course
Begins:	January 16,  2008  (for 10 weeks)
When:	Wednesdays 7:00-9:00 PM
Where:	Farm Service Agency beside the Historic Court House on the square in downtown Yanceyville.
Cost:	$35 for tuition, reference book, CCBA membership
Sponsor:	Caswell County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	Course to be followed by a 4 hr field day, date and time to be determined.
Contact:

Gaston County (Dallas) Concluded

Title:	Beginning Beekeeping
Begins:	January 28, 2008 (for 8 weeks)
When:	Monday's 7:00-9:00 PM
Where:	St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 531 Harding Rd., Dallas, NC, 28034
Cost:	$25
Sponsor:	Gaston County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	Certified exam will be given on last day of class, practical exam to be given at Field Day (date TBA)
Contact:

Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) Concluded

Title:	Bee School for Beginning Beekeepers
Begins:	January 29,  2008 (for 8 weeks)
When:	Tuesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where:	Marion Diehl Park and Rec Center, 2219 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte
Cost:	$25 for materials, refreshments, membership, etc.
Sponsor:	Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	Certified written exam (optional) to be given the last class. Pre-registration is encouraged; the course is expected to sell out.
Contact:

Buncombe County (Asheville) Concluded

Title:	2008 Bee School
Begins:	February 2, 2008 (for 4 sessions)
When:	Saturdays (10:00 AM) & Sundays (1:00 PM)
Where:	Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be accessed from Hwy 74A East near the I-40 Exit 53A interchange or from Hwy 70 in Oteen near Asheville. It is at milepost 382
Cost:	Free.
Sponsor:	Buncombe County Beekeepers
Additional Information:	Preregistration is required on web site or by phone.
Contact:

Johnston County (Clayton) Concluded

Title:	Beekeeping Certification Workshops
Begins:	February 7, 2008 (for 8 weeks )
When:	Thursdays 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where:	Workforce Development Center 135 Bestwood Drive Clayton, NC 27520 (directions)
Cost:	$15
Sponsor:	Johnston County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	This is an 8 weeklong beginner beekeeping course to help certify beekeepers.
Contact:

Guilford County (Greensboro) Concluded

Title:	Beginner Beekeeping Course
Begins:	February 7, 2008 (for 6 weeks)
When:	Thursdays 7:00-9:00 PM (exc. Friday Feb. 15)
Where:	Guilford County Agriculture Center (directions) 3309 Burlington Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405
Cost:	$20 individual; $25 family. Includes book, handout, membership dues.
Sponsor:	Guilford County Beekeepers Association and NC State University Extension Service
Additional Information:
Contact:

Neuse Regional (Kinston) Concluded

Title:	3rd Annual Spring Beekeeping School
Begins:	February 7, 2008 (for 4 weeks)
When:	Thursdays 7:00-8:30 PM
Where:	Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Service office at 1791 Hwy 11/55 (Pink Hill Rd) south of Kinston
Cost:	Free
Sponsor:	Neuse Regional Beekeepers and Lenoir County Extension Service
Additional Information:	The classes will provide basic beekeeping information and students can elect to take the 1st Level exam for the North Carolina Master Beekeeper Program.
Contact:

Watauga County (Boone) Concluded

Title:	New Beekeepers Short Course
Begins:	February 16,  2008  (for 1 day)
When:	Saturday 8:30 AM -4:00 PM
Where:	Watauga County Extension Office West King Street, Boone (map)
Cost:	TBA
Sponsor:	Watauga County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:
Contact:

Moore County (Carthage) Concluded

Title:	Beginning Beekeeping as a Hobby
Begins:	February 18 ,  2008 (for 6 weeks)
When:	Mondays, 7:00-9:00 PM
Where:	Room 3 of the Moore County Agricultural Center, 707 Pinehurst Ave., Carthage (map)
Cost:	$20
Sponsor:	Moore County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	Two additional hands-on sessions will be held in a bee yard.
Contact:

McDowell County (Marion) Concluded

Title:	Beekeeping Short Course
Begins:	February 23, 2008  (for 4 classes)
When:	Saturdays 10:00 AM-4:00 PM & Sundays 1:30-4:30 PM
Where:	Room 113, Smith Building, McDowell Technical Community College, Junction of I-40 and Hwy 226, Marion NC
Cost:	Free
Sponsor:	McDowell Honeybees Chapter and NC Cooperative Extension Service
Additional Information:
Contact:

Davie County (Mocksville) Concluded

Title:	Beekeeping Short Course
Begins:	March 4 ,  2008 (for 5 weeks)
When:	Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 PM
Where:	Davie County Public Library, 371 N. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028 ( map)
Cost:	$10 for members, $15 for non-members. (Can join during 1st class to get the discount)
Sponsor:	Davie County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	Day in the Apiary to follow, date determined by weather conditions. There will be two drawings for a new hive to be given to two new beekeepers who attend all five classes and the apiary day. Taught by EAS Master Beekeeper Gregory Fariss.
Contact:

Coastal Plains Beekeepers (Tarboro) Concluded

Title:	2008 Coastal Plains Beekeeper School
Begins:	March 4, 2008 (for 5 weeks)
When:	Tuesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where:	Edgecombe Extension Center, 201 St. Andrews Street, Tarboro (map)
Cost:	Free
Sponsor:	Coastal Plain Beekeepers and Edgecombe Extension Center
Additional Information:	Certified and Journeyman exam will be offered.
Contact:

Rowan County (Salisbury) Concluded

Title:	Intermediate Beekeeping Course
Begins:	March 11, 2008 ( for 5 weeks)
When:	Tuesdays, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Where:	NC Cooperative Extension, Rowan County Center, 2727-A Old Concord Road, Salisbury, NC 28146 (map)
Cost:	$15 Individual, $20.00 Family
Sponsor:	Rowan County Beekeepers Association and the NC Cooperative Extension, Rowan County Center
Additional Information:	Course taught by Bob Blackwelder.
Contact:

Wake County (Knightdale) Concluded

Title:	2008 Beginner Beekeepers Workshop
Begins:	March 15, 2008 (for 1 day)
When:	Saturday March 15 @ 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Where:	Raleigh Police Club, 3500 Leonard Rd, Knightdale, NC
Cost:	$25.00 includes book, handouts, and hotdog lunch
Sponsor:	Wake County Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	Date for follow up Working in the Hive TBA
Contact:

Forsyth County (Winston-Salem) Concluded

Title:	Bee School 2008
Begins:	March 15, 2008  (for 6 weeks)
When:	Saturdays 9:00-11:30 AM
Where:	Forsyth County Agricultural Building, 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem (directions)
Cost:	Registration and textbook (Backyard Beekeeper) is $40.
Sponsor:	Forsyth County Beekeepers Association and Forsyth Cooperative Extension Service
Additional Information:	Written and practical certification exam on April 19. Free hives given to at least two qualifying beginners.
Contact:

Cape Fear Regional (Wilmington) Concluded

Title:	Beekeeper's School
Begins:	March 15, 2008 (for 8 weeks)
When:	Saturdays 10:00 am - Noon
Where:	Ogden Fire Department, 7375 Market St., Wilmington NC
Cost:	$30.00 for individuals and $45.00 for families sharing a textbook, due by March 1 to get book at first class.
Sponsor:	Cape Fear Regional Beekeepers Association
Additional Information:	The course is ideal for new beekeepers and hobbyist beekeepers looking to improve their beekeeping skills. The beeyard portion of the course will be held at local beeyards in New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties.
Contact:

Beekeepers of the Albemarle (Elizabeth City) Concluded

Title:	Beekeeping Short Course
Begins:	March 29, 2008 (for 1 day)
When:	Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where:	Pasquotank County Extension Office,1209 McPherson St., Elizabeth City (map)
Cost:	$25 advanced registration, $30 at the door
Sponsor:	Beekeepers Of the Albemarle
Additional Information:	Lunch Provided
Contact: