Beginning Beekeeping
At this time, all 2024 Classes Are Full. However, if interested, please submit your name – we may have cancellations.  You would also be at the top of the list for next year’s class.

Cost: $120 (Includes a 1 year BONS membership)

The classes generally run 8 sessions, mostly one day per week.  In addition to the class work, we have 1-2 days that are practical and hands-on.

There is a lot to learn to be successful with Honey Bees.  The Beginning Beekeeping class gives you all the information you need to get through your first year or so of beekeeping.  We help you understand how a bee colony functions, what woodenware and protective gear to buy, how to build the hives, how to deal with diseases, and how to manage your bees to (hopefully) produce honey.

Getting started in beekeeping is not inexpensive. The purchase of hive woodenware, tools, protective gear and bees to put into your hives. In total, first year costs can typically run about $1,000 minimum. Your future yearly costs will be much lower, but getting started takes some funds.

The BONS Beginning Beekeeping class is taught parallel to similar classes that are taught this time of year across Virginia. We are part of the Virginia Beekeeping Teaching Consortium. BONS serves Frederick and Clarke Counties, Winchester, and the northern reaches of Shenandoah, Warren and Fauquier Counties.

We are currently planning on doing 2023 Spring class in person.  Covid-19 may push us back online, but we’re hopeful that won’t happen.