Beekeeping Program

Want to learn Beekeeping?

Interested in your own backyard hive? Curious about the amazing honeybee? Then this beekeeping program is for you! Taught by Beekeeper, Stephen Burney, Owner of Hudson Hives. Small group size,  mix of classroom & live hands-on bee experience. Taught in Hudson MA.

 

2026 Dates:

• Intro Monday February 2 6-8P

• March Sat. 9-10:30am 

• April Sat. 9-10:30am

• May Sat. 9-10:30am

• June Sat. 9-10:30am

• July Sat. 9-10:30am

• Sept Sat. 9-10:30am

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Specific dates will be determined once we have all the participants and will decide on dates as a group. ​

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Cost $380 (includes workshops, class workbook & certificate)​

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To reserve your spot click here

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BEEKEEPING PROGRAM DETAILS

WORKSHOPS includes classroom and hands-on.
Offered: ADULTS (AGES 13+)
DURATION: 1.5 HOURS each class
Location: Hudson MA. (At Hudson Hives Retail location 45 Main St. Hudson, MA, and off site for live hive inspections in Hudson MA area.
Small Class size
$380 Program cost include a Hudson Hives’ workbook, workshops and a certificate at the end of the program. 
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Intro Program will cover 
• How to get started as a beekeeper
• Required time and financial commitment
• Necessary equipment and how it is used
• Information on where you can get your own equipment
• Where to get bees for installation in April or May
• Assembled/unassembled beehives pros and cons
• Hive Dynamics: What makes up the bee colony
• Bee jobs and bee communication
• Pollinator Plants
• Beekeeper Seasonal Tasks (overview)
• Introduction to common hive pests and diseases 
• Free Honey Sampling

The next workshops include classroom and hands-on live hive experience. 

On Saturdays in March, April, May, June, August & September 9-10:30am you will receive in person instruction and time spent suited up inspecting bee hives. By dedicating time over the course of these workshops you will see the
vast seasonality involved with beekeeping, and receive hands on instruction on how to inspect each
season, what to inspect for and what interventions may be required, and how to respond. 

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Specific dates will be determined once we have all the participants and will decide on dates as a group. ​

 

You will learn the following during the program:

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Experience a live beehive and learn Spring Management 

• How to install new bees to a hive
• How to care for new bees
• How to inspect a new beehive
• Queen and swarm management
• Seasonal Considerations, What’s normal and what's not
• Common hive pests & diseases; how to treat/protect
• How to light a smoker. Feel free to bring your own to practice with

• Learn to identify honeybee eggs, larvae and pupae

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Summer Management
• How to care for bees during the summer
• Inspect a beehive - What’s normal and what’s not
• How, When and why you should conduct hive inspections during the summer
• Queen and swarm management
• Common hive pest & diseases; how to treat/protect
• Identify honeybee eggs, larvae, and pupae

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Fall & Winter Management
• How to care for bees during the Fall & Winter 
• Inspect a honeybee hive - What’s normal and what’s not
• How, When and why you should conduct hive inspections during the Fall & Winter
• Common hive pest & diseases; how to treat/protect
• Honey Extraction when & how

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FAQS
Q. How many people are in the Program?
A. No more than 10-12 beekeeping students

Q. I am already a beekeeper. Is this program for me?
A. YES! Whether you are brand new to bees or already have experience you will benefit from this
program.

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Q. I'm interested in beekeeping but don't think I want bees. Is it okay if I take this program?

A. YES! You will enjoy the program and learn so much about bees, honey and beekeeping!

Q. My schedule conflicts with one of the dates
A. If you are concerned you will miss one of the dates, email us and let’s discuss if we can make it work
on another date with the group or you can make up a session with the next class (offered the following
year).

Q. Who is this class not recommended for?
A. If you are under the age of 13 or if you have a bee allergy DO NOT SIGN UP

Q. What happens if it rains or is cold out?
A. Inclement weather can prevent us from inspecting hives. If weather has heavy rains or temperature
dips below 60 degrees it prevents us from working with the hives. We may move forward with the
classroom portion of the class depending on the topic and reschedule the live hive inspection to
another day. Or we may reschedule the entire class.

Q. I have more questions!
A. Just email us! hudsonmahives@gmail.com or call us at 978-212-5482 or drop by our retail store at Hudson Hives 45 Main St. Hudson MA.  We are happy to answer any and all questions.

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