This was the first Beekeeping College of this kind in Florida. It was held on March 13-15 in Apopka, FL. Thursday 13th was for the experienced beekeepers. We had some lectures and then we went to the bee yard and had a test on lighting a smoker and keeping it lit for the duration of the exercise with the colony. There were 6 stations where 6 individual students were asked to explain how to smoke and enter a hive, find eggs, queen, drones, and look for pests and diseases. Then we went into the lab area where we were given a test on identifying various parts of the wooden-ware associated with a hive. Also, we were to identify some pests and tell why they were in the hive and what we could do to prevent them from getting a disabling toehold on the colony.

We had a lunch break on our own and then had some more classes that afternoon. We then had a two hour supper break and study time. We were told to report back at 7:00 pm for a 2 hour test. Then the next day, we were to choose what classes either in the beginners’ and/or advanced that we wanted to attend.

That night at the banquet, we found out if we passed the advanced tests of the previous day by receiving an Apprentice Beekeeper certificate.

Saturday we had more classes and labs to dissect honey bees to see Nosema and Trachea mites. The beginners, instead of the lab, went to the bee yard and were shown the hives with instructions on what to do. There was information for everyone on their level of knowledge.

Now you may think that this is a snap. Well let me tell you that just ain’t so. We have computer homework, books to read, community services to perform, and we also have to keep records of what we do in our bee yards. We have to document everything we do, which includes: signed statements for the community service, photos of our work in the bee yards if we can, show where we get our queens and when we requeen, and…well, you get the picture.

I just can’t wait to go to school next year. That will be my Advanced Beekeeper rating. The following year will be Master Beekeeper, and the final year, if I last that long, will be Master Craftsman Beekeeper. That is all for now.

The next blog will be on what’s going on in the bee yards.