Thank you to those who helped make Bee School 2025 a success!
Missed the event? Please join our email list to be the first to know when registration opens in 2026.
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Registration Includes:
- Two full days of classes with experienced beekeepers
- Hands-on demos and step-by-step guidance
- First Lessons in Beekeeping paperback book
- Free lunch on Saturday
- 1 Year BCBC membership
- Course materials to take home
- Raffles & giveaways!
25% discount for college students!
Seating limited to 100 participants.
This interactive two-day course offers a hands-on introduction to the essentials of beekeeping, taught by local experts who know WNC beekeeping. Designed to guide new beekeepers through supporting a honey bee colony, the curriculum focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to successfully navigate the first season in your apiary, which could save you hundreds in trial-and-error mistakes. While the course is tailored to beginners, beekeepers of all levels will find it useful as a chance to revisit core practices, gain new perspectives on hive management, expand their knowledge, and receive fresh insights and practical takeaways.
Saturday begins with a general lecture introducing you to the super-organism we know as the honey bee, exploring its life cycle and the seasons through the bee’s eyes. The rest of the day is spent in five breakout “round-robin” sessions, where you’ll get hands-on experience with the equipment used in daily beekeeping. (Lunch, including vegan options, is provided at no extra cost.) A wrap-up session will review the day’s lessons and prepare you for Sunday.
Sunday starts with a bring-your-own-lunch Q&A in the cafeteria, where experienced beekeepers will answer questions and demonstrate as needed. You’ll also see a video and live demonstration of how to install a package and a nuc in your own hives.
The day continues with general lectures covering a year in the life of a beekeeper, common pests and diseases, the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD), how to get bees, and more. The Apiary Inspector for Western NC will also be on hand for questions. Sunday concludes with a final wrap-up, local supplier introductions, course evaluation, and graduation. Participants can meet vendors and even order bees if they wish.
Buncombe County Beekeepers Club (BCBC), a chapter of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, is one of the largest and longest-standing beekeeping clubs in North Carolina. BCBC is dedicated to the education and success of those interested in the art and science of beekeeping, with the support of other local beekeepers. BCBC puts a great emphasis on education because a knowledgeable beekeeper is a good, lifelong beekeeper. All proceeds from Bee School support our mission to provide ongoing education and resources to beekeepers across Western North Carolina.
Hands on workshops and demonstrations will not be using live bees – NO bees (or beekeepers!) will be harmed during this course!
Example Schedule:
SATURDAY
| 8:00-8:30am | Registration/Check in |
| 8:30am | Welcome |
| 8:45-10:00am | The Super Organism Life Cycle of the Honey Bee Seasons in a Bees’ Eyes |
| 10:00-10:10am | Break |
| 10:10-11:10 | Breakout Sessions: – Smokers – Siting Your Apiary |
| 11:10-12:30pm | Lunch (provided) |
| 12:35-4:50pm | Breakout Sessions: – Hives / Equipment – Harvesting – Feeding and Treating |
| 4:55-5:10pm | Saturday Wrap-up Day 1 Evaluations |
SUNDAY
| 11:00-12:30pm | BYOL (Brown bag lunch; cafeteria optional) Q/A Session—Nuc/Package Install Demo/Workshop Sign Ups Learn About Local Vendors Sign Up for Certified and Journeyman Prep Courses |
| 12:30-1:30pm | A Year in the Life of a Beekeeper What’s Happening to the Bees |
| 1:40-2:45pm | Pests & Diseases |
| 2:45-3:30pm | Local Vendor Introductions Wrap-up/Graduation Raffle Drawings/Giveaways End of Conference Evals |
| 3:30-4:30pm | Visit with Local Vendors |
