What: Williams Honey Farm teaches an annual beginning beekeeping school annually at Green Door Gourmet in Bellevue, TN (Near Nashville). When: March 29,30 2025. 8-5 on Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday. Why: We believe that beekeeping schools should be taught better so 9 years ago, we created our own comprehensive, supportive, and challenging school!

To short do list:

• Click on the link or go to the products page in the shop and buy a ticket (make sure you provide a good cell phone number for us to text you alerts about school!).
• Decide if you need woodenware (beehives) and place an order here with our vendor so that you can pick it up at bee school!  We recommend buying an all medium hive kit and an all medium deluxe kit (buy 2 kits total).
• Pre-purchase nucleus colonies of bees via our recommended provider to inhabit your beehives (bees arrive in May).  Click Here.  Hurry, supplies are limited! Avoid buying packages of bees!
• 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 29 & 30th 2025, Williams Honey Farm will host our ninth annual Beginning Beekeeping School weekend at Green Door Gourmet! Hours are 8-5 on Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday. 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.  Special group rates available for parties of 4 or more! Email info@williamshoneyfarm.com to sign up your group.   

This year we will also be offering a special live Honey extraction & Bourbon pairing experience with Southern Collective Spirit Company!  Click on this link to purchase tickets from Green Door Gourmet for this one of a kind event.

The fine print: 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 and will be purchased through this link.  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. 

There are two beehive woodenware "kits" to get you started. Most students plan on buying one of each. These do not include live bees.

Basic Kit $278:

(1) telescoping cover
(1) solid/ (1) screened inner cover
(5) 8-frame medium supers with frames and foundation

(1) Mouse guard
(1) screened bottom board (with cortex tray) plus entrance reducer

Deluxe Kit $378

All the items contained in the basic kit plus a bee jacket with veil, gloves, hive tool, and basic smoker.

• 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 special Honey extraction & Bourbon tasting will be led by Jay Williams Southern Collective Spirits and Green Door Gourmet and feature some of the finest Bourbons from the Southeast.  Let us show you how to taste, smell, and experience these amazing bourbons while they are paired with unique monofloral honeys and small bites. This will be a truly bonding experience for all involved.  Be sure to sign up for the honey tasting separately using this link for this event via Green Door Gourmet.

Our 2-day Beginner Beekeeping School is comprised of 16 hours of intense beekeeping training. 8-5 on Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday. 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 live honey extraction and bourbon pairing with small bites will be led by Jay Williams, Southern Collective Spirits and Green Door Gourmet and feature some of the finest honeys & bourbons from around the country.  Let us show you how to harvest, taste, smell, and experience these amazing honeys the way mother nature intended. This will be a truly bonding experience for all involved.