Are you a keeper?

By Amanda Johnson/ guest blogger

Are you interested in learning about beekeeping and the important role that honey bees play in our ecosystem? Look no further! The Heartland Beekeepers Association is offering a Beginner Beekeeping Class for individuals who want to learn more about these fascinating creatures and how to properly care for them.

A queen bee stands out next to the worker bees. Different colors reflect back through the prism of the wax honeycomb. Photo by David Austin
A queen bee stands out next to the worker bees. Different colors reflect back through the prism of the wax honeycomb and stored pollen. Photo by David Austin

By pollinating crops, honey bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem and sustainable agriculture. Without honey bees, our food supply would be severely impacted as they play a vital role in the pollination of many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that we rely on. It is estimated that one-third to one-fourth of the food we eat is dependent on pollinators like bees.

Honey bees and other pollinators are facing many challenges, such as habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. That’s why individuals need to get involved and learn how to properly care for honey bees. Not only will you be helping to protect these important pollinators, but you’ll also reap the benefits of producing your honey and other bee products.

The beginner’s beekeeping class offered by the Heartland Beekeeping Association and UF/IFAS Extension, Highlands County is the perfect opportunity to learn everything you need to know to start your apiary. The class is taught by local, experienced beekeepers who will cover the basics of bee biology and behavior, as well as the equipment and techniques needed to set up and maintain a successful bee colony. Participants will learn about the different types of bees, their lifecycles, and the importance of bees in pollinating our food supply. They will also learn about properly caring for the bees, including inspecting the colony, managing disease and pests, and harvesting honey.

The course is open to individuals of all ages and experience levels, and no prior beekeeping experience is required. It will be held at the Bert J Harris Agriculture Civic Center (4509 George Blvd in Sebring) on Saturday, March 4th, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Registration is $20 and includes educational materials as well as a year’s membership with the Heartland Beekeepers Association. A $3.18 service charge is added to cover Eventbrite processing and handling.

Whether you’re a complete novice or have some experience with beekeeping, this class will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to become a beekeeper. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other beekeepers and learn from their experiences.

Enroll today and join the beekeeping community! With the knowledge you gain from this course, you can start your colony, and contribute to the preservation of bees. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover the joys of beekeeping for yourself. This course is a great way to learn more about these amazing creatures and the importance of preserving and protecting them. Become a part of the solution in protecting our ecosystems and food supplies.

The Heartland Beekeepers Association meets at 7 pm on the third Thursday of every month, at the Bert J Harris Agricultural Civic Center in conference room 2. For more information call the Extension office at (863) 402-6540. You can also register by clicking this link or copying and pasting it into your browser. https://www.eventbrite.com/…/introduction-to-honey-bees…

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david austin
Posted: February 14, 2023


Category: Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agriculture, Beekeeping, Highlands Horticulture Digest, Hometown Gardener, Honey, Insects, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pollination, Pollinator Plants


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