Session 1: Beekeeping Basics Sunday February 19, 2023. Instructor: Rachel Morrison, The Beecharmers. $60. Topics: Introduction to the SABA Beginner Beekeeping Series Basic Biology of Bees and the Hive Workers, Drones, and Queens Beekeeping Equipment, The Hive and Accessories Getting Started - Choosing an apiary location, Best Honey Bees for the Sacramento Area Installing Your Bees – [...]

Swarm Rescue: Learn how to safely collect swarms up to 15’ high. Sunday March 5, 9:00 am  to 12:00 pm. Instructors; Louis Zurlo and Blake Darcy, Sacramento Area Beekeeper Association.  Max Enrollment: 30  $60.00 SABA Intermediate Beekeeping Classes New in 2023! SABA will have 2 intermediate course; Swarm Rescue and Queen Rearing, open to SABA members only and require [...]

Session 2: Managing the Colony  Sunday April 2, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Instructors; Louis Zurlo and Dave Watson, Sacramento Area Beekeeper Association. Max Enrollment: 15 $60.00   Topics: Spring build-up Managing the colony Signs of swarms Lighting and using a smoker Opening and inspecting hives What am I seeing in this hive? What am I looking for? Troubleshooting [...]

Session 2: Managing the Colony;  Sunday April 23, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Instructors; Louis Zurlo and Dave Watson, Sacramento Area Beekeeper Association.  Max Enrollment: 15   Topics: Spring build-up Managing the colony Signs of swarms Lighting and using a smoker Opening and inspecting hives What am I seeing in this hive? What am I looking [...]

Introduction to Queen Rearing: Hands-On Workshop  Saturday, June 10, 9 am to 12:00 pm  (Note this is a Saturday class) Instructors; Kati Bednar, Sacramento Area Beekeeper Association.  Max Enrollment: 16  $60.00 Introduction to Queen Rearing: Hands-On Workshop Why raise queens? Basic Techniques Materials, cost and time commitment Practice Date/Time: Saturday, June 10, 9 am to 12:00 pm  (Note this [...]

Session 3: Bee Health/Summer Beekeeping: Sunday June 11, 2023 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Instructor: TBD,  Sacramento Area Beekeeper Association.   Topics: Honey bee anatomy and biology Maintaining healthy bees Integrated Pest Management (IPM) essentials Disorders, Pests and Parasites Monitoring and treating varroa mites Managing the colony in the summer Assessing colony health Date/Time: Sunday June 11, 9:00 [...]

Session  4: Preparing for Winter/Honey Extraction Basics: Sunday; August 20, 9 am – 1:00 pm Instructor: Rachel Morrison, The Beecharmers.   Topics: Preparing your colony for winter Winter Bees Combining Hives Requeening Looking toward your second year Q & A and troubleshooting Honey Extraction Demo Date/Time: Sunday; August 20, 9 am – 1:00 pm Location: Sacramento County [...]

Hands On Mead Making Experienced mead maker Louis Zurlo and experienced winemaker Karen Burleson will take class participants step-by-step through the process of making mead. Mead making kits will be available for purchase for $25 (one-gallon kit) and $45 (five-gallon kit). Those who want to bring their own mead making supplies are welcome to do so. [...]

Products of the Hive Louis Zurlo and Vickie Lewis will offer a hands-on class that instructs participants on using beeswax to make lip balm, lotion, soap, beard balm and other products. Participants will leave the class with products they created that will make perfect holiday gifts. Saturday, October 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sacramento County-UC [...]

Hands On Mead Making Back by popular demand! Learn how to make mead. Leave with your own mead and the know-how to make more. Award winning mead maker Victoria Alvarez will take class participants step-by-step through the process of making mead. Participants will take home a batch of young mead to be fermented and finished at [...]