BEEKEEPING CLASSES

BEGINNING BEEKEEPING SIX WEEK COURSE

This six-week course is for aspiring new beekeepers, beekeepers who wish to broaden their base knowledge, and members of the community who desire a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to competently manage a colony of honeybees in the Los Angeles Area.

Included in this course:  

• 6 in person classroom style lectures (see dates below)
• 2 hours of hands-on lab work which includes time in the apiary (dates are weather dependent and will be scheduled by our beekeeper later)
• Access to The Valley Hive Online Beekeeping Course which can be done at your own pace and it is a good reference resource.
• Access to group office hours held on Zoom (currently Saturdays at 10am)
• A textbook for the course, received at the first in-person class (TBD by the instructor)
• A 3-ring "Bee Binder" with additional course material and can be used for note taking; received at the first in-person class.

Course Topics:

1. History of Beekeeping
2. Honeybee Biology
3. Anatomy of a Hive
4. Tools of the Trade
5. Setting Up an Urban Apiary
6. Beekeeping Ordinance for the city of Los Angeles
7. Inspection Techniques
8. Diseases, Pests and Pathogens
9. The Beekeeper’s Season in Southern California
10. Troubleshooting Problems in the Hive/Situational Awareness

2025 In-Person Class Dates: 

Click on the link below to enroll:

• 2025 Session #1 - Dates: January 19, January 26, February 2, February 9, February 16, February 23 
• 2025 Session #2 - Dates:  March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6

In-Person Class Time:  Class will meet from 2pm - 4pm

In-Person Class Location:  Classes take place at The Valley Hive Teaching Pavilion 10538 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA 91311 

Additional Information: To participate in the 2 additional hours of hands-on lab work, you are required to have proper protective gear, a smoker, hive tool and bee brush. These items not provided in the cost of the class, but will learn about them in the first few in-person sessions.  To successfully pass this course, you will need to attend all sessions, lab work, and pass the final exam.

Children 12 years of age are older are welcome to sign up with an adult who also enrolls in the course; younger children are permitted on a case-by-case basis.  Please call to inquire before you book a space for anyone under the age of 12.  We ill not refund you once the payment has been processed.

Price: $350.00

Refunds: We regret that we will not be able to offer refunds once payment is processed.  Due to the popularity of this products, space is limited and fills up quickly.  There are no refunds for canceled or missed appointments.

THE VALLEY HIVE BEEKEEPING EXPERIENCE

2025 Beekeeping Experience Dates:

• Sunday, May 11, 2025 (Mother's Day) @ 9am  SOLD OUT
• Sunday, May 25, 2025 ( Memorial Day Weekend) @ 9am  SOLD OUT
• Sunday, June 15, 2025 (Father's Day) @ 9am SOLD OUT
• Sunday, June 29, 2025 @ 9am SOLD OUT
• Sunday, July 13, 2025 @ 9am
• Sunday, July 27, 2025 @ 9am
• Sunday, August 10, 2025 @ 9am
• Sunday, August 24, 2025 @ 9am
• Sunday, September 14, 2025 @ 9am
• Sunday, September 28, 2025 @ 9am

Ever wondered what life is like inside a bustling beehive?  Here is your chance to get into a beekeeper's suit and see firsthand how bees work together inside of a colony to produce honey and so much more.  Whether you are looking to start your own backyard hive or simply have a fascination with honeybees, after participating in The Valley Hive Beekeeping Experience, you will gain new insights into the amazing life cycle of the honeybee and walk away with a new appreciation of how important these pollinators truly are. 

Please Note:

Children over 12 years of age are welcome with an adult. Younger children are permitted on a case-by-case basis. Space is limited. Due to the popularity of this event, dates fill up quickly. There are no refunds for canceled or missed appointments.  Please choose your date carefully as we will not switch you to a new date after your purchase is made.

WHEN IS THE BEEKEEPING EXPERIENCE OFFERED?

The Beekeeping Experience is offered Spring thru early Fall. In the winter months, bees are more vulnerable. The size of the colony decreases, and food is harder to find. We do not like to disturb the bees unnecessarily during this critical time. In springtime honeybees flourish and their populations soar. This is the best time of year to see the bees in action.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The Beekeeping Experience lasts approximately two hours from start to finish. Classes start at 9am to take advantage of the cooler morning weather. We start with a short information session followed by a trip inside our gift store to learn more about what you will see during the beekeeping portion of the class.

LOOK INSIDE A GLASS OBSERVATION HIVE

While you gaze at bees inside a massive glass observation hive, you will learn interesting facts such as how many millions of flowers bees need to visit to produce a single pound of honey or which bees make all the decisions inside the hive.

SUIT UP

Wear a bee suit and experience how it feels to be inside an apiary. Open hives with a beekeeper and learn about the extraordinary life of the honeybee. Bring a camera to capture this unique, one-of-a-kind experience.

SWEET ENDING

Help us process honey from the apiary using a hot knife and a honey extractor. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and take home a sample jar of your work!

ONLINE BEGINNING BEEKEEPING COURSE

Objective: This course is for aspiring new beekeepers, established beekeepers who wish to broaden their base of knowledge, and members of the community who desire a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to competently manage a colony of honeybees. This is an online course that you will be able to take at your own pace. Additional course content will be intermittently added, by our instructors, throughout the Spring. Check your email for information regarding live zoom meetings and “office hours” in case you have questions about the course content.

Beginner Beekeeping Course Online - You will receive an email access link within 24 hours of signing up.  Click Here to sign up.