Beginning beekeeping school 2024 (In-person)

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]On March 22,23,24 2024, Williams Honey Farm will host our eighth annual Beginning Beekeeping School weekend at Green Door Gourmet! Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a beekeeper?  Are you overwhelmed by all the conflicting information found on the internet?  Do you need a little more education than just a textbook at home?  Do you want to train on the actual equipment you will be using?  We're trying to change the way beekeeping schools are taught and this is your chance to jump on board.
We're also offering our Sophomore Beekeeper Reboot Class on Friday night (3/22) again this year. During this 3 hour class we will discuss queen rearing and timing in nucs, hive manipulation techniques, and DIY grafting using the punch method!  If there's time we may even demonstrate how to mark your queens!
Special group rates available for parties of 4 or more!  Email info@williamshoneyfarm.com to sign up your group.
Have you been to our school in the past and want a refresher?? New this year, we are offering our alumni a 50% discount to come and attend school a second time as a refresher!  Name and year verification will be required.
Please note: to sign up for our "4-pour" honey and wine tasting please click on the link to Green Door Gourmet's website for tickets.  Tickets will be processed separately from bee school seats. Click here for honey tasting tickets.
Unfortunately due to equipment and materials rental, there will be no refunds within 7 days of the start of your class.
All items (tickets, live bees, woodenware etc) for schools are a la carte.  If you plan to purchase woodenware for your bees, this will be an additional charge.  All woodenware will be available for pickup Saturday of Bee School if pre-ordered at least 7 days prior to school.  Additional woodenware will be available for purchase in-person however supplies are limited so pre-order is highly recommended.  Please note: only cash or check will be taken for woodenware orders at bee school.  Please plan accordingly! Simply note in the order comments how many beehive kits you are interested in buying and our vendor will get them ready for you to pick up at school.
A starter woodenware kit costs $268 includes:
1 telescoping cover
1 solid/1 screened inner cover
1 Wooden Hive top feeder
5 medium supers with frames and foundation
1 screened bottom board (with cortex tray) plus entrance reducer
1 Mouse guard[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" top_padding="5%" bottom_padding="5%" text_color="dark" text_align="center" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" id="home-top" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]

Why we are different:

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="Small Line" line_alignment="default" line_thickness="3" divider_color="accent-color" animate="yes" custom_height="80" custom_line_width="120"][vc_column_text]Instead of confusing you with 10 different ways to keep bees, we'll show you step by step how we keep our bees in Tennessee.  We'll have hands-on demonstrations of the exact equipment we use in our hives (you can pick up this very same equipment you have trained on at the end of the class!).  We'll walk you through the building blocks of Tennessee beekeeping and build on each lesson.  We'll have ample time for question and answers throughout the school.  You'll have the chance to bond with other new beekeepers and join our growing community of responsible beekeeping.  Classes will be taught by a variety of local like-minded beekeepers and will feature small group breakout sessions.  Our new Vendor will be on-site for any last minute equipment needs.
On Saturday night March 23rd, we'll be offering a "4-pour" honey, wine, and small bite experience!  Let us be your tour guide as you learn how to properly taste and enjoy honey from around the country while experiencing perfectly paired wines and small bites.  You and your significant other will be amazed at what we can show you.  ;) This event sells out every year and is not to be missed![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" top_padding="5%" bottom_padding="5%" text_color="dark" text_align="center" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" id="home-top" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]

The Details:

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="Small Line" line_alignment="default" line_thickness="3" divider_color="accent-color" animate="yes" custom_height="80" custom_line_width="120"][vc_column_text]Sophomore Beekeeper Reboot: Friday March 22th, from 6pm-9pm. If you've already got at least a year of experience beekeeping, this class is a great refresher to help you get back up to speed on the basics. We'll also talk about best practices, yearly maintenance, hive manipulations, and anything that's been bugging you. As a bonus, we'll also do live mite testing!  No equipment necessary, we'll provide it all to practice with!
Beginning beekeeper school: March 23th from 8am-5pm and March 24th from 12pm-6pm (please plan to attend both days). This is the perfect starting point if you're new to the beekeeping world!  Bring a pen and notepad and get ready to learn.  This is not your average bee school.
Special "4-pour" honey and wine tasting experience led by Honey Sommelier Jay Williams and Green Door Gourmet March 23th from 5:30-6:30!  Purchase tickets to this event separately via this link.
Looking to buy bees (nucleus colonies) for 2024?  Click here.  Hurry, supplies are limited![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" top_padding="5%" bottom_padding="5%" text_color="dark" text_align="center" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" id="home-top" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]

The Location:

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"The Barn" at Green Door Gourmet organic farm.

7011 River Rd Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

www.greendoorgourmet.com

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" overflow="visible" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/3" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][image_with_animation image_url="5095" image_size="full" animation_type="entrance" animation="Fade In From Right" animation_easing="default" animation_movement_type="transform_y" hover_animation="none" alignment="center" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" image_loading="default" max_width="100%" max_width_mobile="default"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" top_padding="5%" bottom_padding="5%" text_color="dark" text_align="center" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" id="home-top" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/6" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="2/3" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]

The Options:

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="Small Line" line_alignment="default" line_thickness="3" divider_color="accent-color" animate="yes" custom_height="80" custom_line_width="120"][vc_column_text]Everything is a la carte!  Please choose the options that work for you:
Sophomore beekeeper reboot class (Friday)
Sophomore beekeeper reboot class for you and an additional family member.
Beginning beekeeper classes (Saturday/Sunday)
Beginning beekeeping class for you and an additional family member.
1 Seat at our "4-pour" honey and wine tasting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/6" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" top_padding="5%" text_color="dark" text_align="center" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" id="home-top" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]

Purchase accessories in addition to class:

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="Small Line" line_alignment="default" line_thickness="3" divider_color="accent-color" animate="yes" custom_height="80" custom_line_width="120"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" bottom_padding="5%" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="top" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/2" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][image_with_animation image_url="13771" image_size="full" animation_type="entrance" animation="Fade In From Left" animation_easing="default" animation_movement_type="transform_y" hover_animation="none" alignment="center" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" image_loading="default" max_width="100%" max_width_mobile="default"][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding="padding-2-percent" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="top" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/2" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]

You'll need to separately purchase these things by placing a note in your order comments and bringing a check to school to pay:

(A) 5-frame medium nucleus hive with laying queen.  p/u date approx 3rd week in May 2024.  For optimal success of our students, we strongly recommend against purchasing packages of bees from anyone.  Year after year the data shows poor results using packaged bees to start your hives and as a result, we only recommend starting with nucleus colonies.

(B) 1 complete 5 medium super starter hive (woodenware only).  This includes screened bottom board, 5 medium supers with wax foundation, solid inner cover, screened inner cover, wooden WHF hive top feeder, telescoping cover, mouse guard and wooden entrance reducer.  Pickup will be at the bee school.
(C) An additional start hive (woodenware) plus PPE, smoker, tools, and accessories. Pickup will be at the bee school.
**If you are just starting out, we highly recommend starting with 2 beehives and purchasing both of these kits for your home apiary.  Your woodenware does not include live bees.  In other words, our typical student purchases option B (woodenware for a beehive), option C (woodenware for their second beehive plus accessories), and 2 nucleus colonies to populate their new hives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]