DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship encourages Iowans interested in beekeeping to consider enrolling in one of the beekeeping schools that will be held around the state again in 2018. There are a record number of 36 courses that will be held across the state for both the beginner and advanced bee keeper.
“Interest in beekeeping continues to grow and these courses are a great opportunity for new beekeepers or those who are interested in getting started to learn from experienced Iowa beekeepers who understand how to successfully raise bees in our state,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Early enrollment for many of these courses is important so courses can meet minimum enrollment numbers. Fees will vary by location. For more information, please refer to the IHPA website and online monthly newsletter at www.abuzzaboutbees.com or contact Andrew Joseph, State Apiarist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, at (515) 725-1481 or andrew.joseph@iowaagriculture.gov.
Please note that not all of these courses are sponsored by the Iowa Honey Producers Association, and the information presented by the instructors is not necessarily endorsed by the IHPA. Additionally, none of the courses are sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship and the information presented by the instructors is not necessarily endorsed by the Department.
There are currently about 4,500 beekeepers in Iowa that manage more than 45,000 colonies of honey bees. These honey bees produce about 4 million pounds of honey annually, valued at over $8 million. Honey bees are also responsible for the pollination of many Iowa crops. Field and horticultural crops, home gardens and plants eaten by wildlife are dependent on bee pollination for the production of their fruits, nuts and seeds. The economic value of honey bees as crop pollinators in Iowa has been estimated at $92 million annually.
A list of 2018 course locations and details follows here:
City& Time | Start Date | Course Length | Meeting Location | Contact to Register | Fee | |
Ankeny
Beginning Beekeeping
6-8 pm | Jan. 25 – March 1 | Thursday evenings for 6 weeks | Iowa Lab Facility, DMACC Campus, Ankeny, DCI Conference Room | Andrew Joseph: 515-326-5765 (call or text) | $35 (scholarship youth, their parents and mentors/no charge) | |
Albia Beginning Beekeeping
6:30 – | Jan 30 – March 20 | Tuesday evening for 8 weeks | Monroe Co. Extension Office West Albia, IA 52531 | Sheila Weldon: 641-891-2268 or Jerry Weldon: 641-891-4071 or email:weldonjs@iowatelecom.net | $45 household includes a book, handouts & field day | |
Calmar Beginning Beekeeping
6-9pm | Jan 30 – March 6 | Tuesday evenings for 6 weeks | 1625 Hwy 150 S Wilder Business Center | NICC Continuing Education: 563-557-8271, ext. 380
Instructor: Bill & Louise Johnson | $35 | |
Cedar Rapids
Beginning Beekeeping
6-9pm | Jan. 12 – Oct. 12 | 4 lecture dates and 3 field days throughout the year | Indian Creek Nature Center5300 Otis RdSE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 | 319-362-0664 or www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org/public-programs/beekeeping
| Member: $80
Non- member: $100 | |
Council Bluffs
Class info for 2018 TBD | April-May | Saturday mornings for 3 weeks | IA Western Comm. College @ Looft Hall | 712-325-3252 (Holly) Iowa Western Comm. College2700 College Rd Instructor: Lynn Danzer | $59 | |
Davenport
6-8 pm | Feb. 22 – Mar. 29 | Thursday Evenings for 6 weeks | Nahant Marsh Education Center thru Eastern Iowa Community College | 563-441-4100 Course# 195364 4220
S Wapello Ave Davenport, IA 52802
Instructor: Phil Crandall | $95 / includes text book | |
Des Moines
Beginning Beekeeping
7-9pm | Jan 23 & 30 Feb 6, 13, 20 & 27 | Tuesday evenings for 6 weeks | Des Moines Community Ed, Merrill Middle School118 | http://commed.dmschools.org/programs/adults/ Beekeeping 101
Instructor: Julia McGuire | $60 per | |
student+ | ||||||
Book $10 | ||||||
Des Moines | Jan 25 | Thursday | Des Moines | http://commed.dmschools.org/programs/adults/ Beekeeping 101
Instructor: Julia McGuire | $60 per | |
Feb 1, 15, | evenings | Community Ed, | Student + | |||
Beginning | 22 | for 6 | Merrill Middle | Book $10 | ||
Beekeeping | March 1 & | weeks | School118 | |||
8 | 5301 Grand Ave | |||||
7-9 pm | ||||||
Des Moines
Advanced Beekeeping
7-9 pm | Jan 24, 31 Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 | Wed evenings for 6 weeks | Des Moines Community Ed, Merrill Middle School118 | http://commed.dmschools.org/programs/adults/ Beekeeping 201
Instructor: Julia McGuire | $60 | |
Dubuque
Beginning | Jan 30 – March 6 | Tuesday evenings for 6 | Dubuque Northeast Iowa Comm. College, | NICC Continuing Education :563-557-8271, ext. 380 | $35 | |
Beekeeping
6-9 pm | weeks | Town Clock Business Center 680 Main St | Instructor: Bill & Louise Johnson | Class via live podcast | ||
Fairfield
Beginning Beekeeping
6-8 pm | March | Thursday evenings for 4 weeks | Jefferson County Extension Office | Coleen: 641-472-4166
Instructor : Vern Ramsey & Joy Westercamp | $5.00 | |
Fort Dodge Beginning Beekeeping
9 am -12 noon | Jan 13th– Feb. 3rd | Saturday mornings for 4 weeks | Webster County ISU Extension Office in Fort Dodge | Yvonne: 515-835 -9326 or e-mail Yvonne@iastate.edu Ste C12 (enter S.E. corner) Fort Dodge, IA 50501-7670
Instructor: Roy Kraft | Single $40 / Family $50 | |
Fort Dodge Advanced Class
1-4pm | Feb. 3rd | Saturday afternoon | Webster County ISU Extension Office in Fort Dodge | Yvonne: 515-835 -9326 or e-mail Yvonne@iastate.edu Ste C12 (enter S.E. corner) Fort Dodge, IA 50501-7670 | Single $35 / Family $45 | |
Instructor: Roy Kraft | ||||||
Fredericks- burg Beginning Beekeeping
9 am – 3 pm | January 20th & 27th
Class size limited | Saturdays for 2 weeks
Bring sack lunch | 3025 270th St Fredericks- Burg | Mary Wiltgen: 563-920-9628 or | $50 Payment due @ registration | |
Indianola (FBI Club) Beginning Beekeeping
6:30 – 8:30 pm | Jan 25 – March 15 | Thursday evenings for 8 weeks | Calvary Baptist Church Indianola, IA | Judy Spence: 515-988-8397Jespencejr44@gmail.com
Instructors: Doyle Kincy & Eric Kenoyer | Class free- $8.00 for book | |
Iowa Falls Beginning Beekeeping
5:30 – 8:00 pm | Jan 23rd– Feb 20th
Feb 27 snow day | Tuesday Evenings for 5 weeks | Iowa Falls Ellsworth Community College | Rachael Koehler: 1-800-284-4823 or 641-752-4645 Course ARG 4501 Sec 2
Instructor: Pat Ennis | $49 Field days included | |
Keosauqua Beginning Beekeeping
6:00- 8:00 pm | Start in March | Monday evenings for 4 weeks | Roberts Bldg – with cooperation with Van Buren County Extension. | To register: 319-293-3039 Hwy 1 north Keosauqua, IA 52562
Instructor: Vern Ramsey & Joy Westercamp | $5.00 | |
Knoxville Beginning Beekeeping
6:30-8 pm | Jan. 25th– March 15th | Thursday evenings for weeks | Marion County Extension Office | Jerry Weldon: 641-842-5888 or Sheila: 641-891-2268 or email:weldonjs@iowatelecom.net | $45 household includes a book, handouts & field day | |
Marshall- town Beginning Beekeeping
7-9 pm | Jan. 24th– Feb. 28th | Wed. evenings for 6 weeks | Iowa Valley Community College | Rachael Koehler: 800-284-4823or 641-752-4645 Room 612 | $49 | |
Instructor: Phil Ebert | ||||||
Mason City Beginning Beekeeping 9 am – 12 pm | Feb. 3rd– Feb. 24th | Saturday mornings for 4 weeks | North Iowa Area Community College | NIACC Continuing Education:641-422-4358
Instructor: Pat Ennis | $49 | |
Mt Pleasant Beginning Beekeeping
6-9pm | Feb 1, 8, 22 & Mar. 1 | Thursday evenings for 4 weeks | Iowa State University Extension/Henry Co/ Extension Office | Henry Co Extension Call 319-385-8126 no later than Jan 27th
Instructors: Dave and Ray Tull | Individual $25 or Couple $35 (sharing a book | |
Newton 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Beekeeping Basics | January 23 | Tuesday evening | ISU Extension & OutreachJasper Co. | John Krzton-Presson
Instructor: Zack Koopman | $10 | |
Okoboji Beginning Beekeeping
| Feb. 10 & 11
snow dates: Feb 24 & 25 | Saturday: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Sunday: 1:30 – 5 pm | Dickinson County Nature Center 2279 170t h St Okoboji, IA | nwiabeekeepersclubresearch@gmail.com or 507-227-5919
Instructors: Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association | $75.00 w/manual $50.00 w/o manual $25.00 youth | |
Okoboji
Intro. to Beekeeping Practicum | May 6
Rain date: May 13 | Sunday Afternoon | Dickinson County Nature Center 2279 170th St Okoboji, IA | nwiabeekeepersclubresearch@gmail.com or 507-227-5919
Instructors: Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association | $75.00 w/manual $50.00 w/o manual $25.00 youth | |
Okoboji Intermediate & Advanced beekeeper education | TBD | TBD | Dickinson County Nature Center 2279 170t h St Okoboji, IA | nwiabeekeepersclubresearch@gmail.com or 507-227-5919
Instructors: Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association | TBD | |
Oskaloosa
Beginning Beekeeping
6:00-8 pm | Jan 19 – March 16 | Friday evenings for 7 weeks | Iowa State University Extension Office/ Mahaska County
| Tina/Jim Marshall: 641-660-0983 212 North I Street Oskaloosa, IA
Instructors: Jim & Tina Marshall | $45 | |
Ottumwa Beginning Beekeeping 6:00-Spm | Jan 16 – Feb 27 | Tuesday evenings for 7 weeks | ISU Extension Office 13011 120th Ave Ottumwa IA 52501 | Jen Daugherty: 641-682-5491
Instructor: Craig Greene | $45 | |
Peosta
Beginning Beekeeping
6-9pm | Jan 25 – March 1 | Thursday evening for 6 weeks | Northeast Iowa Community College Room: CCl | NICC Continuing Education: 8342 NICC Drive Peosta, IA 52068 Instructors: Bill & Louise Johnson | $35 | |
Polk City
Beginning Beekeeping
9-11 am | Feb 10, 17, & 24 | Saturday Mornings for 4 weeks | Cherry Glen Learning Farm Ray & Susan Meylor | Ray Meylor: 515-450-1207 or
3989 NW 94th Ave Polk city, IA 50226 | $10 a class, includes hands-on instruction & field day. Veterans are free | |
Sioux Center
Beginning Beekeeping
| February 1, 8, 15 & 22 | Thursday evenings | Sioux City Woodbury Extension | To register: 712-722-6275
Instructor: Duane H Bajema Ph.D | $70 | |
Toddville
Beginning Beekeeping
7-9 pm | Jan. 22 Feb. 5 & 19 Mar. 5 & 19 April. 2 Aug. TBD Aug 27 | Mondays evenings | Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd | www.beeapartbeetogether.comQuestions: 319 -7 21-3493 orhoneybeeclasses@gmail.com
Instructors: Master Beekeepers Shane Bixby: Dist. 2 Director Erin Miller: IHPA Vice President | See website
| |
Toddville
Beginning beekeeping
6-9 pm | Jan. 19 Feb. 2 & 16 Mar. 2 Aug TBD Aug. 27 | Friday evenings | Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd | www.beeapartbeetogether.comQuestions: 319 -7 21-3493 orhoneybeeclasses@gmail.com
Instructors: Master Beekeepers Shane Bixby: Dist. 2 Director Erin Miller: IHPA Vice President | See website
| |
Toddville
Advanced Beekeeping
9 am – 3 pm | March 3 & 4 | Saturday and Sunday | Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd | www.beeapartbeetogether.comQuestions: 319 -7 21-3493 orhoneybeeclasses@gmail.com
Instructors: Master Beekeepers Shane Bixby: Dist. 2 Director Erin Miller: IHPA Vice President | $75 per person | |
Toddville
Queen Rearing Class
9-3pm | June 23 & 24 | Saturday and Sunday | Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd | www.beeapartbeetogether.comQuestions: 319 -7 21-3493 orhoneybeeclasses@gmail.com
Instructors: Master Beekeepers Shane Bixby: Dist. 2 Director Erin Miller: IHPA Vice President | $75 per person | |
Washington
Beginning Beekeeping
6-8:30 pm | Feb 5- Feb 26 | Monday evenings for 4 weeks | Kirkwood Comm. College; Washington Center | 319-653-4655 111 West View Dr. Washington
Instructor: Ron Wehr: 319-698-7542 | Class -$39 / Material- $15 | |
Waterloo
Beginning Beekeeping
6:30 – 8:30 pm | Jan 10- April 18 | Wed evenings for 8 sessions | Hawkeye Community College, main campus – Buchanan Hall, Room 108 | 319-296-4290 Class ID # 27607 orwww.hawkeyecollege.edu (self-register) 5330 Nordic Drive Cedar Falls
Instructor: Kenn Wandschneider | $149.00 | |
— Iowa Department of Agriculture
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