UW-Superior holding free beekeeping workshops 2020
The University of Wisconsin-Superior will host a series of three free beekeeping workshops aimed at providing aspiring beekeepers with the general knowledge they need to be successful. All workshops are taught by Edward Burkett, UW-Superior biology professor and apiary manager and will be held at Swenson Hall, Room 1013.
The first workshop, Beekeeping 101, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 9 a.m. - noon, will include “Do I really want to raise honey bees?,” honey bee biology, basic equipment, tools, protective gear, cost, purchasing bees and equipment, legal issues, urban beekeeping, installing your first bees, basic hive inspection, colony maintenance, and challenges to bee health. Participants will get to handle and learn to use beekeeping equipment and assemble a beehive.
Beekeeping 102: My First Honey Bees, taking place Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m. – noon, is designed to teach first-year beekeepers how to care for new honey bees. This workshop is ideal for first-year beekeepers that have previously completed an introductory beekeeping workshop, but will prove beneficial to second-year beekeepers. Topics include honey bee biology, installing packages and installing a nucleus hive, standard hive inspections, and basic hive management.
Beekeeping 103: Let's Talk Bees will be held Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m. – noon, with topics such as early summer hive management, honey bee diseases and parasites, varroa mite monitoring, swarm biology and prevention, how to capture a swarm, and queen capture and marking. The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer session.
The free beekeeping workshops are limited to 60 participants at each event. Registration is required and is available for one, two or all three workshops. Swenson Hall is located on the UW-Superior campus at 1610 Weeks Ave.
For more information and to register, visit uwsuper.edu/beekeeping.
