The Tara Beekeepers' Association presents:

A Beekeeping Short Course for Beginners

on

Saturday, October 16, 2010

from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

at the 

Reynolds Nature Preserve

5665 Reynolds Road

Morrow, GA 30260

(map)

   Beekeeping is a fascinating pastime that can be beneficial and enjoyable in so many ways.  You can keep bees for the delicious golden honey that they produce, for the environmental value of their services as pollinators, or just for the fun of learning about one of nature’s most amazing creatures.  To get into beekeeping is to dabble in entomology, horticulture, food production, woodworking, arts & crafts, and entrepreneurship.

Anyone can be a beekeeper, whether you live in the city or in the country.  With the proper tools and by practicing good bee yard etiquette, it is a very safe and rewarding endeavor.  Beekeeping requires much less time than having a cat or dog, takes up only a small amount of space & resources, and offers wonderful fringe benefits!   :-)

FYI: There is a serious pollinator deficit in our environment.  At least every third mouthful of food that we eat is directly attributable to the work of pollinators.   The world needs more honey bees!  In an effort to promote beekeeping in Georgia at the hobbyist level, the the Tara Beekeepers Association, Clayton County Extension Service, and Clayton County Master Gardeners are sponsoring this Beekeeping Short Course.  The goal is to have a hive in every residential backyard along the southern crescent of Metro Atlanta.  Come join us to find out more!

Please pre-register, asap.  The early bird Program Fee is $50.00, or pay $55.00 at the door. This fantastic deal includes your admittance to all of the day's presentations, demonstrations, smoker workshop and Q&A discussion.  It covers all of the food and drinks offered during the registration, breaks, and lunch.  But, it doesn't stop there... Also included is a full-color copy of KS Delaplane's excellent textbook, "First Lessons in Beekeeping," and a one-year membership in the Tara Beekeepers' Association!   Can you believe it?!?  Don't miss this opportunity...

Register now: 1) print and fill out the registration form, 2) make your check payable to the Tara Beekeepers Association, and 3) mail them to:

Tara Beekeepers' Fall Short Course

Attention: Hortpa - PN Williams

c/o Clayton County Extension Service

1262 Government Circle

Jonesboro, GA 30236

FYI - The intended syllabus of presentations and activities:

8:00 – 8:30 Registration and Coffee

8:30 – 8:45 Welcome! :-)  An Introduction and Orientation to the Day's Events

8:45 – 9:30 First Morning Presentation: The Honey Bee & the Bee Colony

9:30 – 10:15 Second Morning Presentation: Beekeeping Tools, Equipment, and an Assembly demonstration

10:15 – 10:30 ---Morning break--- featuring Hot biscuits & local honey!

10:30 – 11:15 Third Morning Presentation: Ordering and Installing Packaged Bees & Nucleus (starter) Hives

11:15 – 12:00 Concluding Morning Presentation: Managing the Bees, Working your Hive(s), & Avoiding Getting Stung

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch & Smoker Lighting Workshop (smokers provided, or bring your own)

1:00 – 1:45 First Afternoon Presentation: The Harvest - Removing & Processing your Honey

1:45 – 2:30 Second Afternoon Presentation: Other Issues: Common Bee Hive Disorders, Infestations & Infections

2:30 – 2:45 ---Afternoon break---

2:45 – 3:30 Third & Final Afternoon Presentation: Foraging & Nectar Plants

3:30 – 4:15 Questions & Answers with a panel of the day's presenters.