Greater Grand Lake Beekeepers will hold introductory classes

CELINA — Greater Grand Lake Beekeepers Association (GGLBA) will host its seventh annual Beginning Beekeeping Class on March 13 at the Richardson-Bretz Building in Celina. The class will begin at 8 a.m. and last until 5 p.m.

Participants will learn everything they need to know to begin keeping bees themselves. Topics include reasons for beekeeping, honeybee biology and nutrition, parts of a hive and equipment used in beekeeping, products of the hive and identifying and treating honeybee pests and diseases. Instruction will include installing bees in a hive, working a hive, feeding bees, harvesting honey and more. Demonstrations will be given on assembling frames and installing foundation.

Cost of the class is $50 per person in advance and includes the textbook “Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping” (a $65 value).

A second person can also register in advance for $25 per person (no textbook). Walk-in registration will be $60 per person ($30 for a second person).

Each person registered will also receive a oneyear membership into the Greater Grand Lake Beekeepers Association ($15 value), a one-year membership into the Ohio State Beekeepers Association ($20 value) and the chance to win several beekeeping related door prizes.

Beekeeping supply catalogs, literature and handouts will also be available. Attendees will be given information about ordering honeybee nucleus hives (nucs) from northern climate stock.

Instructors will include GGLBA members along with Dwight Wells from Tipp City. Wells is a recognized speaker and collaborates with Purdue University on improving the “Indiana Leg Chewers,” a genetic strain with traits that attack the pest varroa mite. Wells has also taught Queen grafting and is Director of Sustainable Genetic Technologies Network, a collaborative effort in artificial insemination with Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

Registration is on a first-come, first served basis and class size is limited to 35 people. To enroll or for more information, go to GGLBA.OhioStateBeekeepers.org or contact Mark Beougher 419305-8662 or Rich McNaughton 419-733-7424.

The Richardson-Bretz building is located at 119 W. Fulton St. in Celina, just behind the Mercer County Library.

Coffee, doughnuts and refreshments are included. Lunch is not provided.

Greater Grand Lake Beekeepers Association (GGLBA) meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month. Please consult the GGLBA website or Facebook page for locations and other information. Meetings run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and are open to the public.