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LEARN IN PERSON

Start here for the down and dirty details!

What: Williams Honey Farm teaches an annual beginning and advanced beekeeping school annually at Green Door Gourmet in Bellevue, TN (Near Nashville).

When: March 22-24, 2024.

Why: We believe that beekeeping schools should be taught better so 8 years ago, we created our own comprehensive, supportive, and challenging school.

To do list:

  1. Click on the link or go to the products page in the shop and buy a ticket.
  2. Decide if you need woodenware (beehives) and place a note in your order how many kits you’d like (always start with 2 and you’ll pick these up at school). Don’t forget to bring cash or check to school to pay for the woodenware separately from this order.
  3. Pre-purchase nucleus colonies of bees via our online store to inhabit your beehives (bees arrive in May).  Click here.  Hurry, supplies are limited!
  4. Read some of the beekeeping books from our reading list and get ready to learn!

Or if you’d like a more detailed description of the whole process read on…

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.

 

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.

Ticket price is 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.

Here are the additional items most people purchase:

(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 basic 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 for $268.

(C) A deluxe woodenware kit costs $372.50 and includes all items in the basic kit plus ventilated bee jacket, hive tool, smoker, and gloves.  Please specify desired size in order notes.  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 (A).

 

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.

Sign up for Beekeeping School!

Our 2-day Beginner Beekeeping School is comprised of 16 hours of intense beekeeping training. Instruction is delivered in the form of lecture, hands on practice, and low stress testing. You’ll get the chance to bond with other new beekeepers, ask as many questions as you want, and pick up any extra tools/equipment you might have overlooked.

Our “4-pour” honey, wine, and small bite pairings will be led by Jay Williams and Green Door Gourmet and feature some of the finest honeys from around the country.  Let us show you how to taste, smell, and experience these amazing vintages the way mother nature intended. This will be a truly bonding experience for all involved.  Be sure to sign up for the honey tasting separately for this event only via Green Door Gourmet via this link.