AGR 122 : Natural Beekeeping Practices
This course is an introduction to the basic principles and practices of natural beekeeping emphasizing organic methods. The course prepares beginning beekeepers to start or expand their own beekeeping as a hobby or small enterprise. Topics include biology and life cycle of honeybees, equipment and materials, starting a new hive, seasonal hive management practices, hive pests and diseases, harvesting and marketing. Students will have the opportunity to purchase new hives, equipment, and bees to establish their own hive in the spring. At least one field day will demonstrate installation, feeding, and early care of a new hive. Two lecture hours per week.
Course Outcomes
- Understand the fundamentals of bee biology and its role in organic agriculture.
- Recognize and understand the basic beekeeping equipment and its use in establishing, managing, and harvesting bee products.
- Learn the techniques and methods of managing honeybee hive for pollination and honey productions.
- Understand the issues of beekeeping, including diseases, parasites, and predators, and their prevention or treatment.
- Learn the fundamentals of honey harvesting, extraction, processing, and marketing.