Beekeeping II: Hands-On Hives

With Alex DeCesaro

This class is the sequel to our Beekeeping I: Bees, Hives & Honey class. Taking Beekeeping I or having similar beekeeping education is highly encouraged before taking this class, but not required.

Take your apiary skills to the next level by going beyond the basics of hive management. In this course, we will dive deeper into the nuances of hive inspections, diagnosing colony health, and the rewarding process of honey extraction. Unlike conventional instruction, this class focuses on natural beekeeping tendencies to help you build a more sustainable practice. You will get hands-on opportunities to "read" comb up close and harvest honey, while exploring the rich folklore associated with the honeybee. Whether you need help troubleshooting your current hive or want to prepare for the upcoming season, this class offers expert guidance. Join this supportive workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

  • Mastering advanced hive inspection techniques

  • Diagnosing hive health and interpreting complex comb cues

  • Hands-on honey harvesting and processing

  • Strategies for gearing an over-wintered colony up for spring

  • Understanding natural beekeeping philosophies vs. conventional methods

  • Exploring the history and folklore surrounding the honeybee

  • Troubleshooting specific issues within your own apiary

Class Outline:

  1. Advanced Management: Preparing over-wintered colonies for a successful spring season

  2. Deep Dive Inspection: How to “read” the comb, diagnose health issues, and analyze colony behavior

  3. Harvest & Processing: A look at extracting and processing your honey crop

  4. Philosophy & Folklore: Natural beekeeping principles, honeybee myths, and an open Q&A for specific hive questions

Details:

  • Prerequisites: Intro to Beekeeping or similar education is highly encouraged.

  • Class Capacity: 8 maximum, 4 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: All Ages

  • Partner Ticket Available?: No

  • Available for a Private Class?: Yes (info)

  • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: None

About the Teacher

Alex has been keeping bees for 5 years and is passionate about sharing this knowledge with others in order to help the local pollinator population. She is interested in keeping bees on a spiritual level and aims to be a steward of the earth through this ancient practice. You can see more of her work on her Instagram @alma_apiary