Register for our Annual Beekeeping Classes!

See the description below about the classes available this year.

Big Valley Beekeepers Guild is excited to offer 3 classes for 2024:

Scroll below to learn about the different classes and access the links to register.

Is Beekeeping For You? January 20th, Lodi

Have you thought about beekeeping as a hobby, but haven’t been sure what you would need to get started or how much time the hobby requires? Register for our “Is Beekeeping For You” mini-class, where we will walk you through the pros and cons of beekeeping, what to ask yourself when thinking about getting hives of your own, the equipment, and the time requirements needed to be successful. You’ll leave the class with a more realistic view of what beekeeping entails and whether or not it’s a hobby you’d like to give a try.

HOW TO REGISTER for the “Is Beekeeping For You” mini-class:

Registration for this class is closed.

  • Class fee is $25 per person.
  • Our mini-class will be held at the Lodi Library, with per-registration required (no walk-in’s). Please do not contact the library about this class, as this is a private event.
  • Class Time: 1pm to 3:30pm (doors open at 12:45pm for student check-in)
  • Class Location: Lodi Public Library, main conference room – 201 W. Locust St., Lodi, CA 95240

As a reminder, all class registrations are final and we are sorry, no refunds will be available. If you cannot attend as planned, contact us at least one week prior to the class date, to make arrangements for another individual to attend in your place.

Beginning Beekeeping – February 3rd, Lodi

Big Valley Beekeepers Guild is excited to offer a two-part Beginning Beekeeping class in 2024. This class is only being offered once this spring and has a limit of 75 students.

A member discount is available! Join as a member for 2024 and receive a $30 discount when you register for the workshop. You will receive a discount code after you join and complete a member profile. Read more about the class below.

Class Description:

Have you thought about keeping bees in your backyard? Maybe you already have your first hive? Perhaps you still consider yourself a beginner and want a refresher? Just curious about bees and what it takes to have a hive of your own?

Our next Beginning Beekeeping full-day workshop will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 from 9am to 4:30pm and is the perfect way to get introduced to beekeeping and get familiar with what you’ll need to know in your first year of beekeeping.

From how to pick equipment and tools to learning about the basics of bee biology, our experienced beekeepers will provide you with the practical knowledge to get started. This workshop is designed for the absolute beginner but serves as a fantastic refresher if you are in your first years of beekeeping. No prerequisite knowledge is required.

All class participants will receive a workshop outline which includes a list of available resources. Our classroom portion on February 3rd will utilize a multiple group format, where you will rotate between class sessions during the workshop and have a chance to meet and chat with fellow beekeepers. A box lunch is also provided with your class registration!

Please note that our workshop will be held in-person; however, due to many changing county requirements resulting from COVID, if the situation warrants – students will be notified by email with a Zoom link and the class will be held virtually.

This beginning beekeeping workshop also includes an optional, hands-on field day, which will take place later in the spring (date to be announced, likely in April) where you will experience a hands-on introduction to bees and hives in a local apiary. We’ll demonstrate how to approach a hive, open and inspect frames, how to install bees, and how to work with your bees using gentle movements and bee biology.

If you have any questions about the class content, please contact us!

HOW TO REGISTER for the Beginning Beekeeping Workshop:

Big Valley Beekeepers Guild Members will receive a $30 discount on the Beginning Beekeeping workshop! To obtain the discount, join or renew as a member for 2024 here on the web site. After the transaction is submitted, you will receive a notification with a discount code for the class registration.

….Log out, then log back in. Go to the class page and add the class to your shopping cart. Apply the discount code and it will be applied to your shopping cart.

Registration for this class is now closed. No walk-in’s are available.

Class Location: Grace Point Church, 801 S. Lower Sacramento Road, Lodi, CA 95242

Class Time: 9:00am to 4:30pm (doors open at 8:30am for student check-in)

Class registration for non-members is $125
Class registration for 2024 BVBG members is $95

Have a Dual BVBG membership? Both members can register for $95 per person. Discount code is good for both (2) family members who register.

As a reminder, all class registrations are final and we are sorry, no refunds will be available. If you cannot attend as planned, contact us at least one week prior to the class date, to make arrangements for another individual to attend in your place.

Intermediate Beekeeping, Date TBA

You’ve completed your first year and season in beekeeping, understand basic terminology (and can identify different bees in the colony, as well as find your queen), and are now ready to take a deeper dive into what the next few years will require. Whether you have been raising bees for two years or ten years, the needs of the bees can change over time! This class will focus on maintaining healthy hives as a more experienced beekeeper, managing the Varroa mite, how to inspect frames and evaluate hive strength, perform splits, manage for swarming, and what is involved in honey extraction.

HOW TO REGISTER for the Intermediate Beekeeping class:

Come back here in early spring for more class information, date, location, and to register!

As a reminder, all class registrations are final and we are sorry, no refunds will be available. If you cannot attend as planned, contact us at least one week prior to the class date, to make arrangements for another individual to attend in your place.