BEEKEEPING CLASSES

THE VALLEY HIVE BEEKEEPING EXPERIENCE

2023 Beekeeping Experience Dates:

• Sunday, May 7, 2023 @ 9am - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, May 21, 2023 @ 9am - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, June 4, 2023 @ 9am - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, June 18, 2023 @ 9am - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, July 2, 2023 @ 9am - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, July 16, 2023 @ 9am - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, August 20, 2023 @ 9am - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, September 17, 2023 @ 9am
• Sunday, October 1, 2023 @ 9am
• Sunday, October 22, 2023 @ 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.

 

 

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. Most 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!

 

  

 

BEGINNING BEEKEEPING SIX WEEK COURSE

Objective: This six-week 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.

Topics: Upon completion, students will be expected to demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of ten crucial areas of study including:

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

 

Location: All classes are held on Sunday and will take place at The Valley Hive located at 10538 Topanga Cyn Blvd in Chatsworth. Class will meet from 2pm – 4pm

Class Dates: 

• 2023 Session #1 - Dates: Jan 8th, Jan 15th, Jan 22nd, Jan 29th, Feb 5th, & Feb 12th - DATE HAS PASSED
• 2023 Session #2 - Dates: Feb 19th, Feb 26th, March 5th, March 12th, March 19th, & March 26th - DATE HAS PASSED
• 2023 Session #3 - Dates: May 7th, May 14th, May 21st, June 4th, June 11th, June 18th - SOLD OUT

Additionally: Two hours of lab work in our apiary is required to pass the class. Apiary availability will be sent out to students. Students are expected to make the time to accompany a Valley Hive Beekeeper during a typical inspection at one of our apiaries.

Required material: The Valley Hive will provide the required textbook for this course, “The Backyard Beekeeper” by Kim Flottum. Students will also be provided with a binder which will be filled with material and notes throughout the course. Participation in completing the “Bee Binder” is mandatory to successfully passing the course.

Price: $250.00

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.

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.