Beekeeping Classes at Howell County Extension Office July 23 and Week of July 27; Pre-Registration Needed by July 19

Contact: Dr. Amy Patillo, 4-H youth development specialist
Tel: (417) 256-2391
E-mail: patilloa@missouri.edu

WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- Beekeeping classes, both beginning beekeeping and advanced beekeeping, will be offered at the University of Missouri Extension Office in Howell County.

MU Extension Specialists, expert beekeepers and commercial beekeepers will share more than 30 years of beekeeping experience at the classes.

The two planned programs are “Beginning Beekeeping,” from 5 – 8:30 p.m., July 23 and “Advanced Beekeeping,” July 27 – August, 3.

For information about class registration, contact the University of Missouri Extension office in Howell County at 417-256-2391. Pre-registration is required by July 19, 2013.

Beekeeping classes in early 2013 filled to capacity. That created increased interest in workshops and growing business opportunities, said Dr. Amy Patillo, 4-H youth and family development specialist with University of Missouri Howell County Extension 4-H and a local beekeeper.

Jann Amos, a retired extension specialist and owner of Amos Apiaries, will kick off the Advanced Beekeeping Workshop providing instruction on morphology of bees, diseases/pests, seasonal and annual management, product production, alternative apiculture, pattern, hive management, requeening, and much more.

Monty Wiens, South Central Beekeepers Association, will highlight tips and tricks of the trade from an expert beekeeper. Wiens shares information that beekeepers only learn from years of beekeeping and continued education.

The last session will offer guest presentations from commercial beekeepers and local beekeepers to discuss opportunities in commercial beekeeping, including bee production, honey production, pollination and queen rearing.

Plans for the class include apiary field trip and lunch in the bee yard. Extension beekeeping classes began in early 2013 and were created to provide resources to local bee keepers, design networking opportunities to learn and grow from experienced beekeepers and help individuals interested in beekeeping produce healthy and happy bees.