Beekeeping class scheduled
Neuse Regional Beekeepers announce a Spring Bee School for anyone interested in learning about honey bees or beekeeping. Bee experience or ownership of bees is not required. No experience is required and farmers, gardeners, crafters and students are all invited to participate. The six-week training class will address the major components of beginning beekeeping. Hands-on experience with bees will be offered for those who desire to participate.
The school will begin on Saturday Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension office. The class will continue on Saturday, Feb. 8, 17, 22 and March 1 and 15. The office is located at 1791 Hwy 11/55 in Kinston. Directions are available by calling the office at 252-527-2191.
Each session will consist of a presentation and a question-and-answer period. Participants will benefit from bringing a notebook and writing instrument for taking notes. Various volunteers who are members of the N.C. State Master Beekeepers Program will teach the classes.
The fee for the course is $45, which includes handouts and the textbook, First Lessons in Beekeeping, written by Dr. Keith Delaplane. Delaplane is from the University of Georgia Entomology Department and is an internationally renowned expert on honey bees.
Neuse Regional Beekeepers is a chapter of the N.C. State Beekeepers Association, Inc. The Neuse Regional Beekeepers was formed in 2006 to provide education and support for local beekeepers and the public. Membership in the organization is encouraged but not required. For those interested in joining the NC State Master Beekeepers Program, the initiate level (Certified Beekeeper) testing will be available following the course. The course of instruction should provide ample information for those taking the Master Beekeeper first level test.
Monthly meetings of the Neuse Regional Beekeepers are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office.
Registration for the class will take place at the door on Feb. 1. For further information, call Bob Gaddis, 252-468-2029 or Peg Godwin (Peg_Godwin@ncsu.edu) 252-527-2191.
Peg Godwin is horticulture agent, Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Center, 1791 N.C. 11/55, Kinston, NC 28504. Reach her at 252-527-2191 or Peg_Godwin@ncsu.edu or 252-527-2191.