Beginners Beekeeping Workshop: Day #1

Tonight I had the pleasure of attending my first Beginners Beekeeping Workshop with Three Rivers Beekeepers (TRB website) at the University of Missouri Extension Center.  The workshop is a two day educational event and covers topics like the biology of the honey, what type of beehive to purchase and which hive is right for you, what equipment you might need, etc.  The price of the two day workshop set me back at $75. However, they provide you with a copy of "The Beekeepers Handbook" by Diana Sammataro, a hive tool, several informational handouts/pamphlets, a one-year membership to the Missouri State Beekeepers Association (normally $15 annually), as well as lunch on the second day of the workshop.

Tonight's meeting was from 6:00 pm- 9:30 pm.  Several topics were briefly discussed, with more emphasis to follow in tomorrow's scheduled portion.

Day #1 Events & topics

• A welcome statement from the Steering Panel President, Eugene Makovec
• A video clip of, "Why Bees Are Disappearing" by Marla Spivak (Video link)
• An introduction presentation to honey bees, honey bee anatomy and physiology, beekeeping strategies, and the different types of hives
• The three caste system within the hive: the worker, the drone, and the queen
• A presentation from the 2014 Missouri State Honey Bee Princess Erin Mullins (She represents the Missouri State Beekeepers Association, website)
• The different types of beekeeping equipment, purchasing and assembling equipment and woodenware by Jane Sueme of Isabee's Beekeeping Supplies (Isabee's Website) 
• Session ended tonight with a Q & A session and open general discussion/questions

I will publish a new post tomorrow summarizing the second day.

~Nick