Sessions target beekeepers of all levels

BUTLER, Pa. - Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Beaver Valley Area Beekeepers Association have put together a session to help answer questions and avoid the many pitfalls you may encounter as you begin.

Topics for discussion include equipment needs, where to get bees, selecting a site, feeding, pest control, harvesting the honey crop, and working with wax.

Managing honeybees can be a very rewarding enterprise and a profitable sideline. You may want to keep bees for the honey they produce or the pollination they provide.

The seminar will help interested individuals understand the basics of getting started in beekeeping.

Dates, locations. The seminar has been scheduled for two different dates and locations: Feb. 15 at the Beaver County Extension Office and Feb. 22 at the Leslie Firth Learning Center (Mercer County Extension Office).

Both sessions offer the same program and begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

Reservations are required; registration fee is $20 per person and includes lunch and program materials. Reservations must be postmarked one week prior to the session you plan to attend.

Each session is limited to 40 participants.

Experienced session. For the more experienced beekeeper, a seminar is planned for March 7-8 at the Beaver Campus of Penn State University.

This year’s program will feature Richard Fell of Virginia Tech and Dennis Van Englesdorf, chief apiary inspector.

Both of these speakers are nationally recognized researchers who will bring the most research data and practical ideas to help beekeepers improve their management techniques.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about integrated pest management, new ideas in rearing queens, identifying diseases, identifying races of bees, and working with wax.

A representative of the National Honey Board will be on hand to present a marketing workshop.

Registrations must be postmarked no later than March 1. Registration fee is $16 per person.

More information. For brochures and registration information for both beekeeping seminars, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761.