BEEKEEPING CLASSES

Interested in stepping into a beekeeper's boots for the day? Check out our Beekeeping Experience!

BEGINNING BEEKEEPING FIVE WEEK COURSE

We don't have dates for this course yet, but you can be the first to know by subscribing to our newsletter!

This five-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:  

• 5 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

2026 In-Person Class Dates: 

We do not currently have any dates for this class. Check back soon!

In-Person Class Time:  Class will meet from 1:30pm - 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 a paying 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 will 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.  This class fills up quickly and space is limited. 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.