Course Description
Interested in becoming a beekeeper? The University of Minnesota Bee Lab and Bee Squad will help you get started in beekeeping. If you have no prior experience keeping bees in our cold climate, Beekeeping in Northern Climates will teach you the foundations you need to know for success. You will learn essential skills for successful beekeeping, including honey bee biology, colony management, wintering bees, colony handling tips, and common diseases and pests. If your goal is to keep your bees healthy and thriving year after year, this course will provide you with the knowledge and tools to succeed.
This online course is designed to fit into any schedule, with flexible, self-paced learning and plenty of opportunities for instructor interaction. Whether you're brand new to beekeeping or looking to sharpen your skills for northern climates, this course offers the support and expertise you need for long-term success. If you prefer in-person instruction, we offer a Beekeeping in Northern Climates course each winter or early spring that covers the same topics.
While beekeeping is a rewarding craft, if your primary goal is to support all local pollinators, the most impactful action you can take is planting a diversity of native flowers to provide food and nesting sites. Unsure which path is right for you? Explore our guide on getting started in beekeeping to make an informed decision.
The course includes:
- Over 14 hours of pre-recorded video content. Students work through the content at their own pace and can revisit any sections as needed, even after completing the course.
- Detailed written and image-based resources to reinforce learning.
- Two ways to ask instructors questions. One is to join live monthly Q&A sessions via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST). The other is to post questions in the online discussion forums, where an instructor will respond every Monday. All Q&As are recorded and posted on the website for all those that miss them or register after they occur.
- A printed copy of the Beekeeping in Northern Climates, Third Edition manual that will be mailed to you within three weeks of registration. If you would like a preview, a PDF of the manual is available to download for free from our manual page.
- For additional information, see the syllabus.
Registration
Register for the online course
- Registration is currently open and will close December 31, 2025.
- All students will have access to the course until December 31, 2026.
Registration for the 2026 course cohort will begin in winter. Registering closer to the start date in January provides nearly two years of course access, while those who register closer to December will have closer to one year of access. If a full two years of access is important to you, consider waiting to register until the 2026 course opens.
Instructions to access the class will be emailed to you when you complete registration.
Cost: $175.00 per person payable with a credit card.
Refund Policy: No cancellation refunds after the student begins the class. Full refund for students that do not begin the class. Refund less than $30 for students that do not begin the course, but had the manual shipped to them by the time of cancellation.
Instructors
- Dr. Marla Spivak, Emeritus Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Gary Reuter, Scientist, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Dr. Katie Lee, Apiculture Extension Educator, University of Minnesota
- Jessica Helgen, Bee Squad Program Director, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Brooke Nikkila, Bee Squad Program Manager, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Jenny Warner, Bee Squad Team Leader, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Nelson Williams, Bee Lab Apiary Manager, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
Questions? Contact Katie Lee at [email protected]