This has been a long time coming, I am FINALLY opening up seats in what I am calling the BeeFit Mastermind! As a beginner beekeeper, it can be overwhelming and confusing to know where to start. There is so much information out there to sort through that it is hard to know exactly what steps you should start with in order to be successful. That is why I am starting the BeeFit Mastermind. A welcoming environment for new beekeepers that streamlines learning techniques to guarantee success! Okay.. you're right, I shouldn't use absolutes. But, the techniques I will teach you are tried and tested so I have full confidence in the journey I am about to take you on! What will be covered in this course? To save you from reading what has almost came to be a book of information here is a brief outline: Introduction to Beekeeping: anatomy and biology of honey bees, castes, types of bees in a colony, phermones, products produced in the hive, health benefits of honey, pollen and pollination, bee behavior, life cycle and seasonal of a bee and the hive, all beekeeping vocabulary, common pests and diseases. Choosing your Equipment: what exactly do you need so that you get what you need and don't over spend. Selecting your bees: breeds, package vs nuc, and where to get them. Selecting a Suitable Location: compare shade vs sunlight effects, which direction should the hive face, how high off the ground, hive stands, proximity to water, pesticide use, Installing your Bees: the who, what, when, where, and HOW. I will show you a step by step process of how to instal and arrange your frames, how to read your frames as you transfer them over, and how to find the queen. Monitoring your Hive: how to perform hive inspections, what you are looking for, how to identify what food sources are in your environment, how to spot signs of disease or pests (varroa EKKK!!), how and if you should feed, when to add boxes. Everything Swarming: what is a swarm, swarm prevention techniques, splitting bee hives, how to spot a swarm cell, how to know if its an emergency queen or a swarm queen, what to do if they do swarm. Treating your Bees: an in-depth tutorial on what each varroa mite treatment does and how to use it and time when to use it correctly. I will also touch on mechanical treatments for those wanting to mix in non-chemical additions into their management. Also, how to know how many mites are in your colony. When Can I Take Some Honey: Everything about knowing how much you can take in your first year, how to get the honey out of the comb, and how to know when a frame is ready to be pulled. Prepare for Winter: this is the hardest part about beekeeping that many beekeepers still struggle with today. In this section I will walk through my step by step process for how I make sure the 3 keys to overwintering success are met. By this time robbing season will be upon us so we will cover in depth how to bulet proof your hive. Evaluate and Reflect: End-of-Season Review and planning for next year. By the end of this course, my goal is for you to have all the necessary tools to propel yourself forward on your journey towards becoming a successful beekeeper.We will focus on helping you build up your bees and preparing them for their first winter so that they come out of it thriving! During this class you will also be enrolled in my mentorship program. In this you will be able to chat with me and your classmates so that any questions you have can get answered. Class will start February 1st and run through the entire bee season. Ready to take the plunge and commit to your first year of beekeeping? Let's make it happen together!
