For the Love of Bees!
Intro to Beekeeping Classes
Our For the Love of Bees series includes four stand-alone, information-packed classes, each timed to give new and future beekeepers exactly what they need, when they need it. Every session delivers practical guidance, hands-on tips, and real-world advice to support you throughout your beekeeping journey.
  • When
  • Where
  • Cost
  • What you'll learn
  • Photos
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Dates and Times:
Class 1:  Saturday, April 18, 2026
Class 2:  Saturday, July 18, 2026
Class 3:  Saturday, October 17, 2026
Class 4:  Saturday, January 23, 2027
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​All classes 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (includes one hour lunch break)
Location:
TBD
(likely Highland Springs High School or Sandston Presbyterian Church)
​Cost*:
Option 1 - $120 for all four classes + book
Option 2 - $50 for one class + book
Option 3 - $30 for one class (no book)

Family registration:
If you will be beekeeping with a partner, they can attend the class(es) along with you without paying an additional registration fee.  However, you will only receive one set of materials.

​Book used is the latest edition of Beekeeping for Dummies

All options include ERBA membership and annual dues for one year (a $10 value)
​*Scholarships may be available - contact us for more information

What you will learn:

Class 1:
  • Bee anatomy & physiology
  • Types and parts of a hive
  • Obtaining and installing bees
  • ​Inspecting the hive
  • Bee pests & diseases
  • Beekeeping throughout the year
Class 2:
  • Review from previous class
  • Animal husbandry
  • Bee pests/diseases and how to treat for them
  • Swarming and how to prevent it
  • Hands-on hive inspections
  • ​Early ​winter prep
  • ​Honey harvesting and wax rendering
Class 3:
  • Last-minute winter prep
  • Late-season animal husbandry
  • Optimal colony configuration
  • All about the queen
  • ​​Winter tasks for beekeepers
  • Hands-on demonstrations
Class 4:
  • Your first year in review
  • Post-winter animal husbandry
  • Early spring inspections; evaluating dead-outs
  • Prepping for swarms; creating splits and resource colonies (Nucs)
  • Pollinator gardening
  • Hands-on demonstrations
Class Registration Form:
​To sign up now, complete the online or paper form linked below, or email us at [email protected]

Online registration form:

Registration info coming soon.  Please check back!

Paper registration form:

Registration info coming soon.  Please check back!