Are you looking to start beekeeping in 2012? Are you familiar with general bee biology, but desire to learn how to graft your own queens, overwinter hives and better manage them in the early spring?

The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association will offer a short course beginners and experienced beekeepers on Saturday, February 11, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Maritz in Fenton, Missouri.  Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.

Jennifer Berry, Erin Forbes, and Grant Gillard will lead the courses.

Jennifer Berry is the Apicultural Research Coordinator and Lab Manager of the Georgia Bee Laboratory component of the University of Georgia Honey Bee Program, directed by Dr. Keith S. Delaplane. Jennifer’s areas of research recently have included queen breeding and Integrated Pest Management for varroa mite control.

Erin Forbes is President of the Maine State Beekeepers Association, and an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper. Erin operates a sustainable, non-migratory beekeeping operation in southern Maine, and is a recognized expert on small-scale, practical beekeeping.

Grant Gillard, a resident of Jackson, Missouri, is an articulate and innovative leader in Missouri beekeeping. He is President of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association and President of the Jackson Area Beekeepers.

The Beginners Beekeeping course is intended for persons with no prior beekeeping experience.  The class will cover all aspects of basic beekeeping to prepare students to start beekeeping in April, 2012.

The Experienced Beekeepers’ course will be tailored towards intermediate and expert level beekeepers, and will place special emphasis on spring management, nucleus colonies, queen rearing, mite control, and successful overwintering.

To learn more, click here.  To sign up, click here