McHenry County College to offer beekeeping classes
The demand for bees for pollination is growing, so now is a great time to learn about bees. McHenry County College's Continuing Education Department will offer classes this spring to teach you how to become a beekeeper for your own garden or orchard.
To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588 or register online at www.mchenry.edu/mymcc. For more information, call Tracy Berry at (815) 455-8758 or Claudia Terrones at (815) 455-8782.
Beekeeping 101:
Gain knowledge about bee biology, modern beekeeping techniques, construction of hives, and how to acquire bees. Keep bees for the fun of it, as a sideline job, or to help your garden and orchard. Class takes place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 6-27 in Room A102 at MCC. Cost is $59. Use course code NPG S38 006 when registering.
Seven Ways to Raise a Queen:
The number of small-scale beekeepers is increasing, and the demand for locally raised queen bees is growing. Purchased queens are often raised in areas of Africanized honeybees or come from migratory bee operations where dangerous viruses are exchanged. Learn the seven simple methods of raising healthy honeybee queens. With a few insights and a small amount of equipment, the backyard beekeeper can raise locally adapted queens from bee stock with a great record of winter survival, good temperament, and excellent honey production. Class takes place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, in Room A119 at MCC. Cost is $22. Use course code NPG S83 007 when registering.
Beekeeping Field Study:
Get practical, hands-on instruction for installing, manipulating, and inspecting colonies of bees. The class will meet in a bee yard, so appropriate clothing and bee equipment will be necessary. Spring is the time to start with bees, and this course will walk you through it step by step. Learn what you need to know to start out right with your bees. Class takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15 and 22, at an off-campus location - student will be notified prior to class. Cost is $59. Use course code NPG S39 001 when registering.