Classes Held By The LIBC
Beginner Beekeeping (Saturday, January 10th, 2026)
THIS CLASS IS NOW COMPLETED FOR 2026
A class designed for new beekeepers with limited to no experience.
Topics will include:
- • Members of the hive
- • Honey bee biology and life cycle
- • Package bees vs. nucleus colonies and how to install Bees in equipment and get them started
- • Bee diseases and pests
- • Record keeping
- • The Good Neighbor Policy
The book provided is The Beekeeper’s Handbook and it is included in the price. Instructors are Long Island Beekeepers Club members. There will be time allotted to ask questions in the “break out” sessions. (If you already have the book, you can get a discounted price by contacting Grace)
The class will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Huntington, 109 Browns Rd, Huntington, NY 11743. Doors open at 8:15 AM and instruction will start at 8:30 AM with the day ending at approximately 2:00 PM. Coffee, bagels, and water will be available, or you can bring your own. You may bring a bag lunch if you desire.
Attendees must be members of the Long Island Beekeepers Club. Club dues are $40 per year. Class price is $65. Sign up on the website and pay by PayPal, or contact Grace to sign up and then send a check made out to Long Island Beekeepers Club to our treasurer: Suzanne Cahill, 30 Meadow Glen Rd, Northport, NY 11768.
If you have any questions or need to sign up without using PayPal, you can contact Grace on her cell at 631-766-5648 or at Education@longislandbeekeepers.org.C
Intermediate Beekeeping (Saturday, March 14th, 2026)
A class designed for beekeepers with at least 1 or 2 years of experience but, who want to further their education.
Topics include:
- • Spring Management/Readiness
- • Varroa Monitoring and treatment
- • Swarm prevention and bait boxes
- • Queen evaluation and replacement
- • Making splits and nucs
- • Supering for nectar flow and honey harvesting
- • Why did I lose my hive?
The recommended book for this class is Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping by Dewey Caron. This book is not provided and not mandatory, but recommended to further your beekeeping knowledge. Instructors are Long Island Beekeepers Club members. There will be time allotted to ask questions in the “break out” sessions.
The class will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Huntington, 109 Browns Rd, Huntington, NY 11743. Doors open at 8:15AM and instruction will start at 8:30 AM, with the day ending at approximately 2:00 PM. Coffee, water, and Bagels will be available. You can bring your own food and beverage if desired as well.
Attendees must be members of the Long Island Beekeepers Club. Club dues are $40 per year. Class price is $45. Sign up on the website and pay by PayPal, or contact Grace by texting her at 631-766-5648 to sign up and then send a check made out to Long Island Beekeepers Club to our treasurer: Suzanne Cahill, 30 Meadow Glen Rd, Northport, NY 11768.
If you have any questions, you can contact Grace on her cell at 631-766-5648 or at Education@longislandbeekeepers.org.
Other Resources
Cornell Beekeeping Essentials Course (online)
Honey Bee Health Coalition
Bob Binnie videos
Guelph University Videos
- Installing a Nucleus Colony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mOXm1DChyI&feature=youtu.be
- Swarm Control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GD0oKQSB-c&feature=youtu.be
- Splitting Hives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwGWN0AyoFg&feature=youtu.be
- Dealing with Dead Outs(1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL8ObtRRvq4&feature=youtu.be
- Dealing with Dead Outs(2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS0QpyT_m5U&feature=youtu.be
John Pledger Video on Installing Packages:
Queen Rearing Video
Randy Oliver’s “Mite Washer”
Bee Classes Held By Others
All classes listed below are organized by third party providers, not the LIBC. The LIBC takes no responsibility for the type and quality of information taught in these classes/courses. All transactions for these classes are between the student and the class provider. To be listed here, class providers must be LIBC members in good standing.
Queen Rearing Class
Bill and Roy will be offering this spring a Queen rearing class for small-scale beekeepers. The course will require a commitment of two dates. An indoor class of ½ day this March 21,2026 and ½ day outdoors at an apiary located in Head of the Harbor on May 9, 2026 or May 16, 2026 (weather dependent). The techniques of Dr. Jack Rath of BetterBee and Mike Palmer of Vermont will be featured. The class will be limited to 6 participants. The total cost will be $100. Times and location, to be announced.
Beekeeper requirements: 3 or more years of beekeeping experience. A signed waiver will be required prior to the class.
Below is a list of equipment needed. Their use will be discussed during the class. This is provided in case the participant wants to get equipment ahead of time. Contact Bill at 631-938-6233.
Queen Rearing Equipment Needed
Extra Hive Body
Extra Inner Cover
Extra Outer Cover
Queen Excluder
Frame Feeder
Moist Towels
Pollen/Pollen Frames
Grafting Frame and bars
Queen cell cups
Light source
Magnifying Glasses
Grafting Tools
Mating Nucs
Shaker Box
Additional Optional Items
Grafting Stand
QE Isolation Cage
Vehicle steering wheel table
Beekeeping 101 with EAS Master Beekeeper Moira Alexander
Course Fee: $150
- – You must be a member of the Long Island Bee Club
- – Please buy a yearly subscription to Bee Culture Magazine
- – Purchase The Beekeepers Handbook 5th Edition and read chapters1 & 2 prior to the first class
- – Bring a notebook to class to take notes
- – Bring a folder for class handouts
- – Please bring a check to the first class
Moira Alexander
Moira is an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper and the former Programs Director for the Long Island Beekeepers Club.
Beekeeping Classes with Deborah Klughers
This beekeeping class takes place over the winter in East Hampton, NY. The level of interest and beekeeping experience will determine if this will be a beginner or intermediate class.
Please email Deborah(debbie@bonacbees.com) for details and be sure to follow Debbie on Instagram “bonacbees” or on Facebook “Bonac Bees” for up to the minute class and general honey bee information.
Questions? Call 631-377-1943
Deborah Klughers
Deborah is an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper. She maintains 100+ hives on the eastern end of Long Island.
Beekeeping Classes with Nick Hoefly
Nick offers classes through his apiary in NYC, Astor Apiaries. Please visit the website for current classes offered. https://astorapiaries.com/pages/events
Nick Hoefly
Nick is a Cornell Certified Master Beekeeper. He maintains hives across NYC.
Intermediate Classes
Beekeeping Classes with Deborah Klughers
This beekeeping class takes place over the winter in East Hampton, NY. The level of interest and beekeeping experience will determine if this will be a beginner or intermediate class.
Please email Deborah(debbie@bonacbees.com) for details and be sure to follow Debbie on Instagram “bonacbees” or on Facebook “Bonac Bees” for up to the minute class and general honey bee information.
Questions? Call 631-377-1943
Deborah Klughers
Deborah is an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper. She maintains 100+ hives on the eastern end of Long Island.
Beekeeping Classes with Rich Blohm
Intermediate classes are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
For more information send an email to beebiz44@gmail.com.
Rich Blohm
Rich is an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper and former President of the Long Island Beekeepers Club
Beekeeping 101 with Wayne Vitale
Course Fee: $75
This course covers 8 classes. This will be virtual instruction via ZOOM starting Sept 22, 7:30 PM for new beekeepers who are considering beginning their beekeeping adventure in the coming Spring.
Requirements:
- You must be a member of LIBC $35
- Please buy a yearly subscription to Bee Culture Magazine (https://www.beeculture.com) $24
- Purchase instruction book “Beekeeping Basics” from Penn State Extension. (https://extension.psu.edu) $29 plus tax.
- Read Chapters 1&2 of above prior to the first class.
- Class fee is $75 for the 8 sessions. Payment can be made by credit card.
Wayne@beenaturalbodycare.com O: 631-675-0203, C: 516-680-3020
Wayne Vitale
Wayne is a Cornell Master Beekeeper and former Vice President of the Long Island Beekeepers Club
