Events - Month View

This beginner beekeeping class, is a hands-on hive dive class for beginner beekeepers. We recommend that you have completed the Beginner Beekeeping Class ONE before taking this class. We will be building on what you learned in the first class.

We will be installing 10,000 or 3lbs of bees and a mated queen at the MDBA Apiary.

Monthly Zoom Chat and Q & A for All New Beekeepers - just starting in 2025, or started in 2024 - 2023 This is a meeting to bring your questions, concerns, and observations about your colonies: how to manage colony growth, colonies that died over winter, and other questions, all questions are welcome! It’s also a place for brand new beekeepers to ask questions abou how to start beekeeping - any topics or questions are welcome! There will be beekeepers from your area clusters, area coordinators, and MDBA board members to help answer your questions.

Join other Central Cluster members for an online conversation about what we‘re doing and seeing in our colonies this month.

Our topic for this meeting is "Managing the Spring Buildup" with a focus on demonstrating methods of managing spring growth and avoid swarming. We will have multiple (empty) hives on site to aid in thedemonstrations. Bee Chat to follow the demonstrations!

Install new queens, harvest royal jelly, make a queen rearing nuc.

This beginner beekeeping class, is a hands-on hive dive class for beginner beekeepers. We recommend that you have completed the Beginner Beekeeping Class ONE before taking this class. We will be building on what you learned in the first class.

A monthly video of regional beekeepers covering contemporaneous activities in your beehives, answering questions and collaboration on your beekeeping aspirations.

The 2025 MDBA Zoom Speaker Series continues with a (rescheduled) presentation by honey bee educator Fredrick Dunn: “Honey Bee Drift and Other Behaviors Observed. Any Queen Will Do” Fred is a honey bee educator, focusing on backyard small-scale beekeeping. He shares about the intricacies of bee biology and management primarily through his YouTube Channel (Frederick Dunn) and podcast, The Way To Bee. He manages more than 40 colonies of honey bees on his rural Pennsylvania property, and has been obsessed with bees and their secrets since 2006. As a Cornell University Master Beekeeper, Fred uses scientific methods to improve management practices and evaluate tools and hive configurations across a broad spectrum. Photos and video sequences are at the core of his presentations. We hope you are able to join us on April 24th for Fred’s presentation. Please note the earlier, 6 p.m. start time.

MDBA Beekeeping Classes for members
For new beekeepers and 1- 2 year beekeepers
Beginner Beekeeping Class One - 2.5 hour class - in person
- for new beekeepers who joined in 2024, 2025 and have no hives or have hives. This class is useful to new beekeepers (1 - 2 years) who have bees, lost bees, and need more basic information.
We will discuss, show, and demonstrate PPE’s (personal protection equipment) hive components, hive tools, varroa test equipment,, apiary considerations, and resources.
We will also spend time answering your questions.
MDBA Beekeepers who are in the CA Master Beekeeping program will be your teachers.
If you need to cancel please do so before the cut off date and time. This will allow other members to fill your spot.
Register and pay for the class on the event calendar.. Class size limited to 10. No walk-ins. Class will be held in a garage. Wear warm clothing/layers

This beginner beekeeping class, is a hands-on hive dive class for beginner beekeepers. We recommend that you have completed the Beginner Beekeeping Class ONE before taking this class. We will be building on what you learned in the first class.