Registration for 2009 RI beekeeping schools

The following is a press release from the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association:

The Rhode Island Beekeepers Association teaches beginner beekeeping classes every year in March.This year there will be two bee schools; one at the William M. Davies Career and Technical High School in Lincoln and the other at the East Farm at the University of Rhode Island.

2009 Bee School Schedule for Davies Tech
Wednesday evenings on March 4 to April 1, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Instructor: Betty Mencucci

Directions: William M. Davies Career and Technical High School, Jenckes Hill Road, Lincoln, Rhode Island. (The school is located on Rt 123 right next to CCRI in Lincoln. From the south, take 146 north and take the exit for Rt 123 - Breakneck Hill Road. At the end of the ramp turn left, go over Rt 146 and go a few hundred feet to a stop light. Go straight ahead. The Davies School is just ahead on the left. There is a large parking lot. Enter the school through the main entrance and look for signs. If you're coming from the north, Rt 146 south, take the Rt. 123 exit and take a right at the end of the ramp).

2009 Bee School Schedule - URI East Farm
Wednesday evenings on February 25 to March 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Instructor: Mark Robar

Directions: The entrance to East Farm is located on route 108 about 6/10 of a mile south from the light at the intersection of Route 138 and 108. Classes will be held in building # 75.

Cost: $50 per person, plus $5 per person for each additional family member from the same household

Topics covered include:

Getting started
The honeybee life cycle
Choosing an apiary
Buying bees and equipment
Installing package bees
Catching Swarms
Bee diseases and pests
Spring Inspections
Getting ready for the honeyflow
Wintering bees

There will be a variety of beekeeping equipment displayed and demontrated each week. Beekeeping catalogs and other handouts will be distributed and several beekeeping videos will be shown.

Once you sign up to attend the class, you will also become a member of the Rhode Island Beekeeping Association where you will receive the Association's monthly newsletters with tips and information on beekeeping in the Rhode Island area. The Association has monthly meetings at various locations in the state where you will get to meet other beekeepers and participate in the Association's activities.

Why do people keep bees? It insures that you will always have good pollination in your gardens. It's a good hobby for people who love nature and enjoy watching and learning about bees and the flowers they pollinate and gather nectar from. Some people keep bees because they love honey! Some people even keep bees because they have arthritis and wish to get stung to alleviate arthritic symptoms.

Registration forms may be downloaded from the Association's website:
http://www.ribeekeeper.org/beeschools2009.php