Beekeeping – A Honey of a Hobby
Each winter AABA offers a beginning beekeeping course for anyone interested in learning the basics of beekeeping. The 2024 session is full.
The 2024 Short Course Schedule
The Exciting, Rewarding, and Sweet Hobby of Beekeeping
Each winter Anne Arundel Beekeepers Association (AABA) offers the AABA Beekeeping Short Course. This course is extremely helpful in ensuring that beginning beekeepers have the knowledge they need to be successful in their first and subsequent years of beekeeping. We will cover everything from basic biology, hive management, equipment, keeping your hives healthy, hive products, and of course honey!
On January 23 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, we will have a Zoom session that is not a part of the short course. It will go over what to expect with beekeeping from a financial and time commitment perspective. This will be facilitated by beekeepers who have just completed their second year of beekeeping. We encourage everyone to attend this session. It is not uncommon for some to conclude after this session that “now” might not be the best time to start learning about beekeeping. We do offer refunds at this time to those that no longer are planning to attend the course. We do this to ensure the maximum number of people complete the course. The link for this session will be provided in the near future. Registrants will receive this link in the emails used for registering for the course. The class registration does fill up quickly and space is limited so if you are reasonably committed to beekeeping please register!
The 2024 Beekeeping Short Course will be held in person primarily at the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center (975 Indian Landing Rd, Millersville, MD 21108) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
The course cost is $50 for the primary registration and $25.00 for family members. You will also need to purchase The Beekeeper’s Handbook, by Diana Sammataro & Alphonse Avitabile, 5th Edition. You can use 4th edition of the textbook but please note that page and chapter references will not align. Beekeeping is a science that is constantly evolving, particularly with pest management.
Planned Class Schedule:
Tuesday, March 5 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Introduction to Beekeeping and Honey Bee Biology
Thursday, March 7 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Equipment Lab
Tuesday, March 12 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Spring/Summer Management
Thursday, March 14 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Fall/Winter Management
Tuesday, March 19 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Anne Arundel Beekeepers Association Meeting
Thursday, March 21 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Maintaining Healthy Bees
Tuesday, March 26 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Honey and Other Hive Products/ Pollen and Nectar Sources
Saturday, April 6 To Be Assigned In-Person Visit to a Functioning Apiary