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Course Description

Want to be a better beekeeper?

Beekeeping plays an important role in preserving pollinator populations and safeguarding biodiversity. Successful beekeepers understand how honey bees function, behave, and thrive. At its core, keeping honey bee colonies healthy and productive hinges on recognition, observation, and knowing how to respond to colony needs to support their success.

In this course, you will explore the fundamentals of honey bee biology and beekeeping, providing you with a comprehensive foundation to become comfortable and confident in managing your own hives. You will begin with the basics of how to get started in beekeeping then explore ways to support your colonies throughout the year. You’ll also discover how to identify and navigate scenarios like swarming, Varroa infestations, and queen issues.

Throughout the course, you will examine ways to apply practical knowledge and hands-on techniques used by experienced beekeepers and Cornell experts to your own colonies. Whether you are brand new to bees or have a few years of experience, this course will enable you to build a strong foundation for successful beekeeping.

This course fulfills the legal requirements of the State of New Jersey for beekeeper education per New Jersey Administrative Code Title 2, Chapter 24 §2:24-3.1(c)

Faculty Author

Ellen Topitzhofer; Emma Walters

Benefits to the Learner

  • Explore honey bee biology and behavior
  • Recognize bee colony members, stages of brood, and food in the hive
  • Identify your equipment needs and understand how to install your bees
  • Use a hive tool and smoker to work with bees gently
  • Inspect a colony and understand colony biology
  • Manage colonies throughout the year, including wintering colonies to maximize survival
  • Interpret brood patterns and compare colony observations to seasonal expectations
  • Identify when a colony looks healthy and when it needs additional management
  • Recognize and address queen situations, Varroa mites, diseases, and surprises
  • Explore how to manage colonies for honey production, harvest honey, and render beeswax

Target Audience

  • New beekeepers
  • Current beekeepers looking to strengthen their knowledge and skills
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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Type
5 week
Dates
May 07, 2025 to Jun 10, 2025
Total Number of Hours
40.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $699.00
Type
5 week
Dates
Jul 09, 2025 to Aug 12, 2025
Total Number of Hours
40.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $699.00
Type
5 week
Dates
Sep 03, 2025 to Oct 07, 2025
Total Number of Hours
40.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $699.00
Type
5 week
Dates
Nov 05, 2025 to Dec 09, 2025
Total Number of Hours
40.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $699.00
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