Saturday, June 27 2026, from 8:30am - 5:00pm
Why not rear your own queens? This year we have an advanced beekeeping offering to add to our mentoring workshop series. The University of Minnesota Queen Rearing Workshop teaches one method of rearing queens that works consistently for many beekeepers, from backyard to commercial. Topics covered include queen and drone biology, timing of queen rearing in northern climates, setting up mating yards, and record keeping. This will be a classroom and field hands-on course. Everyone will have a chance to try their hand at grafting larvae, setting up a finishing colony, and shaking a swarm box.
Registration
The fee for the workshop is $100 per person. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration will close on Friday, June 19.
Click here to register for the workshop.
Class requirements
- Beekeepers should come into the apiary with a basic understanding of honey bee biology and hive structure. We welcome all interested in learning how to raise queens with at least one year of successful beekeeping experience. We also recommend having completed the Beekeeping in Northern Climates Course in the past.
- Participants must be 18 years or older.
- Participants will bring an open attentive mind, pen/pencil, and notebook.
- Participants will bring a veil or bee suit/jacket to wear in the apiary.
- We encourage gloveless beekeeping.
- We use gentle beekeeping techniques, but we cannot guarantee that you will not get stung during class. If you have experienced adverse reactions to bee stings, please consult with your doctor before attending the class.
Class logistics
The Queen Rearing Workshop will be held on Saturday, June 27th from 8:30am - 5:00pm at the UMN Bee Lab (1634 Gortner Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108). Parking will be available in the field across the street from the lab (signage will be present). Sign-in will open at 8:00am with instruction starting at 8:30am. Lunch will not be provided, so students are encouraged to bring their own or grab lunch during the 90-minute lunch break. Snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the day during breaks.
The Bee Lab apiary is on uneven ground – please contact us with any questions or concerns about mobility and we will make every effort to make accommodations. In the event of poor weather, we will postpone the class to Sunday, June 29th 2025.
Instructors
- Dr. Marla Spivak: UMN Bee Lab McKnight Distinguished Professor Emeritus
- Nelson Williams: UMN Bee Lab Apiary Manager
- Jessica Helgen: UMN Bee Lab Bee Squad Director
- Ben Ziegler: UMN Bee Lab Researcher
Please contact Nelson Williams ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns.
