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.
Topics include:
- Purchasing equipment and honey bees
- Hiving packages and installing nucleus colonies
- Choosing an apiary site
- Honey production and harvesting
- Successful strategies for winter
- Dividing colonies in spring to avoid swarms
- Introducing new queens into divided colonies
- Best management practices for controlling diseases and mites
You will receive a printed Beekeeping in Northern Climates, Third Edition manual as part of the course. If you would like a preview, a PDF of the manual is available to download for free from our manual page.
This course teaches the skills needed for keeping honey bee colonies. 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.
Dates, Times, and Locations
- Day 1: March 14, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus, Ruttan Hall, 1994 Buford Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
- Day 2: March 15, 2026, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus, Plant Growth Facilities West Room 140, 1552 Gortner Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55108
Please note the location change between Day 1 and Day 2.
The first day will be in the classroom to learn about beekeeping. The second day will be active learning demonstrations that reinforce the concepts. There will be no live bee work due to the unpredictability of March weather.
Lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided.
Registration
Register for the in-person course
Registration closes when the class reaches its maximum capacity of 80 people, or at 11:59 p.m. March 4, 2026.
Refund Policy: Registrants who cancel before 11:59 p.m. on Friday March 13, 2026 will be refunded the registration fee less a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued after then.
Instructors
- Katie Lee, PhD, Apiculture Extension Educator, University of Minnesota
- Nelson Williams, Bee Lab Apiary Manager, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Jessica Helgen, Bee Squad Program Director, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Jenny Warner, Bee Squad Team Leader, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
- Rebecca Masterman, PhD, Extension Apiculture Program Coordinator and Co-Host of the Beekeeping Today Podcast
Questions? Contact email Katie Lee at [email protected]