Honey Bees and Beekeeping Workshop

Honey Bees may seem to have nothing to do with hiking, but there is a connection. So many of our hikes take us through or past Rhode Island’s agricultural lands. Farming depends on honey bees, and bees are in crisis in our state and all over our country. Becoming a bee keeper can help to increase honey bee populations and help to sustain agriculture and the beauty of our state. If you’ve ever considered becoming a beekeeper, this is a great introduction.

The Jamestown Arts Center and Bee Conscious are hosting Honey Bees and Beekeeping: an introduction for aspiring beekeepers as well as for those simply interested in learning more about these fascinating creatures.

This 5-hour class is broken up into two parts. The first 2 hours are for those interested in learning more about the intriguing lives of honey bees. The remaining 3 hours are for those wanting to venture into the world of beekeeping. This introductory class covers honey bee biology and behavior, bee hives and equipment, how to acquire bees, and how to set up an apiary. The class will also cover what to look for when inspecting a colony as well as honey bee pathogens, pests, and predators.

The instructor, Kerry Jehanne, has been tending to honey bees for over 12 years. She has managed up to 40 hives at a time using natural beekeeping techniques. Kerry has a deep passion for teaching others about honey bees and has taught many classes that help people get started in their own beekeeping adventures. She is featured in the documentary, “Queen of the Sun. What are the Bees Telling Us?” She also wrote a chapter in the companion book to that documentary. Kerry presented a talk on honeybees at the 2014 International Biodynamic Conference in Dornach, Switzerland.

About Bee Conscious:
Bee Conscious is a non-profit organization, with the goal to attract 500,000 backyard biodynamic beekeepers and bee buddies. This will help restore the population of honeybees to the level it was in the 1970’s. We need to establish a new relationship to the honey bees and nature for a sustainable future.

When: Saturday, May 17, 9am – 3pm
Where: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley St., Jamestown, RI 02835
Fees: Morning (9am – 11am) Fee: $30 :: Full Day (9am – 3pm) Fee: $60

You need to pre-register for this class. Download and print a registration form at http://www.jamestownartcenter.org/assets/JAC_regform_universal.pdf
and return it to: P.O. Box 97, Jamestown, RI 02835

Light refreshments of honey cake and tea will be available!