In an effort to pique the interesting of prospecting bee farmers, the Lorain County Beekeepers Association (LCBA) is bringing back its beginner beekeeper classes in March.
The month-long crash course runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays, March 3 until March 24.
And 2023 marks the Beekeepers Association’s 28th annual set of beginner classes, according to Marilyn Teeple, president of the Lorain County Beekeepers Association.
The classes likely will help the Beekeepers Association’s main mission: raising awareness on the effects of bees on society, Teeple said.
“(The LCBA) is very, very active,” she said. “I don’t know if you know any beekeepers, but they’re all very passionate their hobby.
“We usually have about 100 people attend the beginner beekeeping classes.”
The passion, Teeple said, comes from studying the bees and learning how the hive society works.
People can learn a lot from bees, and humans do share some practices with that of the hive, she said.
“When you study the bees, they’re quite a society,” Teeple said. “They have to work together.
“For myself, of course, the honey was my first reason for getting bees. I have a little garden and flowers. My garden did a whole lot better once I got bees.”
Teeple has the recognition to back up her honey-related claims.
In fall 2021, she won the Lorain County Beekeepers Association’s Best Tasting Honey Award out of over 20 entries at the group’s Christmas banquet.
Teeple touted the classes as “hands-on” and noted that they can be a full, practical experience for those looking to get into the hobby.
“I think what’s probably special about our classes, is that we also then include hands on,” Teeple said. “We have two or three beehives at that location, and after classes … we open the hives so people can be hands on.
“We encourage them to come with their veils, their gloves and get right in there and see what the bees are doing.”
The first class, according to Teeple, will tackle beekeeping equipment and how beginners can get their starter equipment.
She drew from her own experience in helping to design the classes, and wanted to include the things she wishes she knew going into the hobby.
“Looking back at my own experience, I had no idea what was in a hive,” Teeple said. “We have a Powerpoint we go through, but we also have hives right there.
“It goes through all the parts of the beehive, and then other things, too. You need a hive tool, you need a bee brush, you need a smoker.”
Following the four Friday beginner classes, the Lorain County Beekeepers Association will hold its regular monthly members meeting April 7.
The $50 class fee automatically includes a one year membership to the group, along with a monthly Lorain County Beekeepers Association newsletter.
Other class topics include beehive management, how to handle the first two months in the hobby and how to manage the hive during different seasons such as summer and fall.
“Now you have your bees, you’ve got them in the hive, now what?” Teeple asked. “You want to go into the hive every seven to 10 days, to make sure everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
“It’s just to make sure you get a good start with your bees.”
The hobby is largely self-sustaining, Teeple said.
As long as the queen bee is healthy and working, the hive should thrive basically on its own.
The Lorain County Beekeepers Association’s 28th annual beginner beekeeping classes will take place at Life Church, 1033 Elm St. in Grafton.
“We have members meetings monthly, we have different topics, we have different speakers,” Teeple said. “We talk about what to do with your wax, what to do with the honey.
“Everybody can bring their questions and problems to the meetings.”
Beekeeping hopefuls can reach the Lorain County Beekeepers Association at www.loraincountybeekeepers.org.
