Beekeeping

Urban Apiculture Institute

The mission of the Urban Apiculture Institute is to promote honey bees and healthy beekeeping practices in Milwaukee County.

We train beekeepers in practical, successful, and responsible urban beekeeping practices and foster closer relationships among beekeepers. Furthermore, we educate the public about the benefits of bees to our environment and the wonderful products of the hive.

Urban Apiculture Institute Video

Urban Apiculture Facts

• Keeping bees in urban areas increases vegetable production in gardens as well as seed production in native wildflower gardens.
• Keeping gentle European honeybees will dilute the aggressive behavior common in feral honeybee colonies.
• Honeybees are being kept in at least 5 locations in the City of Milwaukee.
• Honeybees are being kept in virtually every large urban area in the world including New York, Boston, San Francisco, Detroit, Toronto, London, and Paris.
• More people die per year from lightning (100) than from insect stings

2012 Introduction to Beekeeping

If you are considering becoming a beekeeper, but are not sure of the investment of time and money, this class is for you.  The class will focus on the life of a beekeeper and the honey bees throughout the year. You will learn more about bees and their products: honey, pollen and wax. This class will provide the information you need to make an informed decision about taking our Certified Beekeeper course.

Presentation to include:

• How to set up a hive.
• Discussion on how and where to build an apiary.
• Demonstrations of current beekeeping equipment.
• Life cycle of the honey bee.
• Latest disease and pest management techniques; and additional educational programs and resources.

The class will be held on a Saturday in November 2012 (date to be posted in September) at the Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension office, 9501 W. Watertown Plank Road, Building A, Wauwatosa (map and directions).

Pre-registration is required for this class. Download the registration form when available and send it with a check for $20 to:

Milwaukee County UW-Extension
Attn: Bees
9501 W. Watertown Plank Road, Bldg A
Wauwatosa WI 53226

For more information, contact Linda Reynolds, 414-256-4652, linda.reynolds@ces.uwex.edu after September 2012.

Certified Beekeeper Training

Worker Level

At the Worker level, students first participate in a series of classroom activities geared towards the beginning beekeeper. Classroom activities introduce students to theoretical knowledge of beekeeping. Activitiesinclude lecture, group discussion, and independent study. Preparations for hands-on activities take place during this time and will include the assembly of equipment and equipment manipulation.

Queen Level

At the Queen level, students participate in the same activities as those at the Worker level, but are given the opportunity for more hands-on activities during the beekeeping season. Participants should be aware that some municipalities in Southeastern Wisconsin do not allow honeybees to be kept within their municipal limits; therefore, students should check this out before committing to this level of participation.

Starting in early spring, students participating at the Queen level participate in hands-on training at the UWEX Apiary to be located at the Milwaukee County Grounds Community Garden. Hands-on activities will give students working knowledge and practice in handling and managing honeybees. Activities include hive inspection, manipulation, and management for honey production. Students participating at the Queen level are required to provide a minimal amount of personal equipment including:

• Veil (or bee suit) and Gloves
• Hive Tool
• Smoker

2013 Certified Beekeeping Schedule

Classroom Lecture Series - 2013

Both Worker and Queen Level students participate in the classroom lecture series which begins on March 5 and  is held from 8:00 am to Noon at the Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension office .

March
Honeybees 101 and Hive Components
Building an Apiary and Hive Management Techniques
Disease & Pest Management and Winterization

April
Hands-on Demonstration: Lighting Smoker & Putting on Gear

Early August
Winter Hive Preparation (evening)

Early September
Removing Honey from Hives and Honey Extraction (evening lecture)

Queen Experience Level - 2013

The Queen Experience Level will provide students with hands-on training at the UWEX Apiary at Firefly Ridge Community Garden, which is located in Wauwatosa.

Registration Information – 2013

Pre-registration is required. Please download and mail the 2013 Registration Form with your fee payment of $80 per person for the Classroom Lecture Series. The Queen Experience Level is filled for 2012.  For more information, please contact Linda Reynolds, 414-256-4652 or linda.reynolds@ces.uwex.edu after October 2012.

Questions?

For more information about the Urban Apiculture Institute or the Certified Beekeeper program, contact one of our staff:

Harris Byers Instructor harris.byers@ces.uwex.edu	Linda Reynolds Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension 9501 W. Watertown Plank Road, Building A Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3552414-256-4652 414-256-4646 fax linda.reynolds@ces.uwex.edu