Photo by Gary Brown

EVERETT – The WSU Snohomish County Extension is sponsoring a session of the Beginning Hobbyist Beekeeper course in the Washington State Beekeepers Association’s Master Beekeeper Program starting Monday, November 18, 2019, 6:30pm to 9:30pm at WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 – 128th St SE, Everett. The five-week course is perfect for anyone with no previous experience with beekeeping as well as anyone wanting more information about beekeeping before making the decision to acquire a hive. Designed to build basic beekeeping skills, topics covered include bee biology, equipment, seasonal management requirements, identification and management of pests, as well as honey removal and processing. Overall focus will home in on the unique challenges and benefits to beekeeping in the Pacific Northwest. A majority of the foods we grow and eat depend on honeybees for pollination. A workshop manual complements the lectures. Participants completing the course and passing the Washington State Beginning Beekeeper level exam (open book test) will receive a certificate as the first step towards the Apprentice, Journey, and Master Beekeeper levels. Each session is taught by local Journeyman Beekeeper and  WSU Snohomish County Extension entomologist Dave Pehling. As a beekeeper and entomoligist, Pehling’s unique skills and knowledge provide students with a localized and practical approach to keeping healthy bees. Class size is limited and usually sells out in advance of the course. Cost for the five-week series is $120 per person. To register, visit BeeBeginner.eventbrite.com. For more information on the course, visit snohomish.wsu.edu/beebeginner/ or contact Kate Ryan, kate.ryan@wsu.edu, (425) 357-6024.

COURTESY PHOTO