Courses

In addition to teaching undergraduate beekeeping courses at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, PA and Temple University, Ambler, PA, I also teach beginner and more advanced continuing education beekeeping courses at these schools and in other venues.

Courses taught at universities

 Introduction To Beekeeping

Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, PA. July 13-14 and 27-28, 2024, 9am-4pm. By popular demand, this course has been lengthened from one intensive weekend to two, thus allowing more time for work in the apiary and for discussion, while maintaining coverage of essential topics.  This  extended two-weekend course is designed for hobbyists, beginning beekeepers or for experienced beekeepers wanting a refresher course or more up to date information than they have. In this course you will learn about:
•    Honey bee biology and behavior
•    Building an apiary and harvesting honey
•    Apiary equipment and supplies
•    Management practices for each season
To register: https://delval.edu/programs/continuing-professional-studies/beekeeping

Queen Rearing

Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, PA. May 18-19, 2024, 9am-4pm, with queen cell pick up May 28, 2024, 4-6pm. The benefits of raising your own queen include: having queens adapted to your environment, avoiding southern queens that may have mated with Africanized drones, and establishing your own nucleus colonies. Designed for the experienced beekeeper, this course will include the basics of queen rearing, grafting larvae, and using the Mike Palmer method of queen rearing. You will have the option of taking your queen cells home. Prerequisites: Attendees must have some beekeeping experience To register: https://delval.edu/programs/continuing-professional-studies/beekeeping

Courses taught at other venues

Intermediate beekeeping course

Sponsored by Bucks County Beekeepers Association   

PREREQUISITES: This course is designed for beekeepers who have completed Mark Antunes’ beginner class OR have at least 1 year of experience with approval from Instructor.

WHEN: The course consists of 8 classes from February to October. The schedule will always be the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Classes will be from 6 pm to 9 pm. This first class will be held via Zoom as noted but will otherwise be in-person at Forest Grove Presbyterian Church. There will not be a hybrid option. WHERE: In-Person: Forest Grove Presbyterian Church, 1856 Forest Grove Rd, Forest Grove, PA 18922, Online: Zoom Web Session COST: A single student receives membership to the Bucks County Beekeepers Association, educational materials, and eight great classes for only $130. To register: https://bucksbeekeepers.com/event-5106389                                    

Making splits and nucs

Sponsored by Bucks County Beekeepers Association   

Planning for the 2024 class is ongoing. Stay tuned…..

From 2023:

PREREQUISITES: This course material is best understood by people who have kept honey bees for at least 1 year.

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 9am-4pm. WHERE: Forest Grove Presbyterian Church, Forest Grove Rd., Forest Grove, PA 18922 Knowing how and when to make splits and nucs is critical for sustainable beekeeping. Learn to control your honey bee colonies for what your needs are. And don’t allow the bees to decide for you based upon what they want to do. If you can over-winter a colony of honey bees and are going to optimize your success as a beekeeper – you need to understand how to successfully make splits and nucs. Correct management practices applied in a timely manner are an essential element of successful beekeeping. For more information, see: https://vincemasterbeekeeper.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/making-splits-and-nucs-2023.png Cost: $60, including lunch and light snacks. To register: https://www.bucksbeekeepers.com/event-5143890 

Courses at other venues

Courses at other venues can be arranged.