I came home today from a wonderful five days in the N Georgia mountains. On Friday and Saturday I took part in the Young Harris Beekeeping Institute, sponsored by the University of Georgia Entomology Department. This year marked the 16th year of the Institute.
There are several learning tracks one can take. Since this is my first year at the Institute, I took the beginner courses and sat for the exam to attain the certificate for Certified Beekeeper. It involved a practical exam as well as a written exam. This wasn't easy. Lots of material was new to me and I felt very challenged. I am thrilled to say, "I PASSED!" I am now a Certified Georgia Beekeeper.
The next level (Journeyman) is even more challenging, but I'll probably try for it next year or the year after.
There were presentations all day long both days. The first day I went to a wonderful demonstration of how to hive a package of bees. It was given by Bill Owens, a Certified Master Craftsman Beekeeper (the very highest rank you can attain). Click on the album to see the pictures and read the descriptions of what we learned.
There are several learning tracks one can take. Since this is my first year at the Institute, I took the beginner courses and sat for the exam to attain the certificate for Certified Beekeeper. It involved a practical exam as well as a written exam. This wasn't easy. Lots of material was new to me and I felt very challenged. I am thrilled to say, "I PASSED!" I am now a Certified Georgia Beekeeper.
The next level (Journeyman) is even more challenging, but I'll probably try for it next year or the year after.
There were presentations all day long both days. The first day I went to a wonderful demonstration of how to hive a package of bees. It was given by Bill Owens, a Certified Master Craftsman Beekeeper (the very highest rank you can attain). Click on the album to see the pictures and read the descriptions of what we learned.
Thanks for posting the pics Linda! and congrats on your certification! I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteNeat thing about the pictures I see something that I did wrong, (there is a good reason but let's see who figures it out) ;)
Bill
Well, now, there's a challenge!
ReplyDeleteLinda T
Congrats Linda, I wish we had something like that here, it is really hard to find any courses on beekeeping.
ReplyDeleteTo the mistake Bill, is it when you leaned right over the new hive to get the top lid ?? When I saw that pic I did winch thinking of thoses bees dissapearing up your shirt !! I must have another look, you didn`t use a smoker either, was that deliberate ?
Nope, it wasn't leaning over to get the lid or the smoker.
ReplyDeleteYou only spray a package with sugar syrup, you never use a smoker. Leaning over the hive, well I do that all the time. After working with bees for years and working several hundred colonies within a day you get to where you are comfortable doing all types of stuff. Now if that had been one of my strong established colonies...I wouldn't have leaned over it like that.
Bill
Hi Bill and Linda,
ReplyDeleteLinda great blog. I have always had an interest in beekeeping and your blog is exceptional!
I know it is three years later, however the mistake I believed that was made was Bill you didn't remove any frames so you could pour the bees down into the center of the box.
Take care,
Mike
I would say Bill forgot to mention to remove the cork on the fondant side of the queen cage so the workers can get her out. He may have done that, but it was not explained.
ReplyDelete