[ COURSE OUTLINE DOWNLOAD (pdf) ]

The Lee County Extension, in collaboration with the Beekeepers Association of Southwest
Florida (BASF) offered/conducted an introductory beekeeping class in the summer of 2009..

Four-week class started 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Friday, July 31. Morning sessions were at the Extension office on Palm Beach Boulevard in east Fort Myers; afternoon sessions were at field locations when applicable.

We have reached and exceeded our limit with about 37 students attending; deadline for registering was July 16 and class is now closed to new students.

The $90 fee included a full startup kit - a bee veil, hat, smoker, gloves, hive tool, 10-frame hive box with frames and foundation, and course books.

Location:  Lee County Extension Office, 3406 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 
Time:  8:30AM - 4:00PM
Morning sessions - Extension
Afternoon sessions - Farm of a BASF member beekeeper. 
Cost:  $90
Registration closed deadline was:  7/16/2009

Week ONE:  July 31, 2009 – History of Honey Bees and their Behavior; Basic Materials

• History of the honey bee and its uses

• Honey bee hierarchy, Africanized bees

• Video – Benefits of Beekeeping, Equipment, Locating Your Hive

• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

• Beekeeping equipment (boxes, comb foundations, smoker, etc)

• Choosing a location for your hive

• Practical - putting together boxes, becoming familiar with tools

Week TWO - August 7, 2009 – Getting Started/Basic Management

• When and where to start; getting supplies

• Knowing your location and what to expect from it

• Hiving Your Bees, Entering a Hive

• Hiving and your first week

• Entering a hive

• Basic/Early management skills set

• Practical – Transporting bees, hiving, entering, management skills

Week THREE - August 14, 2009 – The Harvest

• What is honey? What is beeswax? What are their uses?

• Video - Harvesting

• Managing for Production (comb, surplus boxes, etc)

• Harvesting honey and beeswax

• Extracting honey and beeswax

• Bottling, basic marketing and industry information

• Practical – Surplus boxes, comb, harvest, removal, bottling

Week FOUR - August 21, 2009 – Advanced Management and Disease/Enemies

• Video –Second Season Start-up, Swarm Prevention

• Queen Management and Swarming

• Fall and winter

• Starting your second season

• Diseases/Enemies (Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, Follow-up)

• Where to get more information and assistance (Local resources)

• Practical – Queens, swarming, first steps in Africanized honey bee removal