Introduction to Beekeeping: A Season-Long, Hands-On Learning Experience with 4 Brothers Honey
Have you ever thought about becoming a beekeeper? Or are you just getting started and looking to build your knowledge and confidence?
Join 4 Brothers Honey for a comprehensive, nine-month Introduction to Beekeeping course designed to take you through an entire beekeeping season — from understanding honey bee biology and setting up your first hive to harvesting honey and preparing colonies for winter.
Taught by Cornell Certified Master Beekeepers, this course combines science-based education, practical instruction, and hands-on experience in a working apiary.
What Makes Our Course Special?
Learn from Certified Master Beekeepers. Gain knowledge and practical insights from experienced beekeepers who have earned Cornell University's Master Beekeeping credential.
Hands-on learning from day one. Explore multiple hive styles and configurations, handle actual beekeeping equipment, and learn through interactive demonstrations and teaching tools.
Get inside the hive! Work with live honey bee colonies, practice inspections, recognize brood patterns, evaluate colony health, and learn seasonal management techniques.
See honey bees like never before. Examine honey bees, Varroa mites, and other hive pests under a microscope to better understand their biology and the challenges facing colonies.
From hive to bottle. Experience harvesting, extracting, processing, and bottling honey in our Certified Commercial Honey Kitchen.
More than just honey! Learn to create additional hive products using beeswax, propolis, and other materials harvested from the hive.
Experience an entire beekeeping season. Follow colony development from spring buildup through honey production, fall management, and winter preparation.
What You'll Learn
Our nine monthly sessions follow the natural progression of the beekeeping season:
January: Honey Bee Biology & Colony Organization
February: Equipment & Getting Started
March: Establishing Your First Colony
April: Spring Management & Swarming
May: Honey Bee Health, Pests & Diseases
June: Pollination, Floral Resources & Honey Production
July: Honey Harvesting & Processing
August: Additional Hive Products & Late-Summer Management
September: Preparing Your Bees for Winter
Course Details
When: January–September 2027- Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00–9:00 PM
Where: 4 Brothers Honey, Horsham, PA
Format: Nine monthly sessions combining classroom instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on learning
Class Size: Limited to 24 participants
Tuition:
$500 per individual
$800 per couple
What's Included: Each registered participant receives their own course textbooks, educational materials, and hands-on learning experiences.
Additional Benefits: Opportunities to purchase bees and beekeeping equipment at discounted prices.
Experience Required: None! Whether you're preparing for your first hive or simply want to learn more about honey bees, this course is for you. You do not need to own bees to participate.
Hands-on apiary activities are dependent on weather and colony conditions.
Ready to Begin Your Beekeeping Journey?
Space is limited to 24 participants!
Learn the bees. Understand the colony. Experience the season.
Introduction to Beekeeping: A Season-Long, Hands-On Learning Experience with 4 Brothers Honey
Have you ever thought about becoming a beekeeper? Or are you just getting started and looking to build your knowledge and confidence?
Join 4 Brothers Honey for a comprehensive, nine-month Introduction to Beekeeping course designed to take you through an entire beekeeping season — from understanding honey bee biology and setting up your first hive to harvesting honey and preparing colonies for winter.
Taught by Cornell Certified Master Beekeepers, this course combines science-based education, practical instruction, and hands-on experience in a working apiary.
What Makes Our Course Special?
Learn from Certified Master Beekeepers. Gain knowledge and practical insights from experienced beekeepers who have earned Cornell University's Master Beekeeping credential.
Hands-on learning from day one. Explore multiple hive styles and configurations, handle actual beekeeping equipment, and learn through interactive demonstrations and teaching tools.
Get inside the hive! Work with live honey bee colonies, practice inspections, recognize brood patterns, evaluate colony health, and learn seasonal management techniques.
See honey bees like never before. Examine honey bees, Varroa mites, and other hive pests under a microscope to better understand their biology and the challenges facing colonies.
From hive to bottle. Experience harvesting, extracting, processing, and bottling honey in our Certified Commercial Honey Kitchen.
More than just honey! Learn to create additional hive products using beeswax, propolis, and other materials harvested from the hive.
Experience an entire beekeeping season. Follow colony development from spring buildup through honey production, fall management, and winter preparation.
What You'll Learn
Our nine monthly sessions follow the natural progression of the beekeeping season:
January: Honey Bee Biology & Colony Organization
February: Equipment & Getting Started
March: Establishing Your First Colony
April: Spring Management & Swarming
May: Honey Bee Health, Pests & Diseases
June: Pollination, Floral Resources & Honey Production
July: Honey Harvesting & Processing
August: Additional Hive Products & Late-Summer Management
September: Preparing Your Bees for Winter
Course Details
When: January–September 2027- Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00–9:00 PM
Where: 4 Brothers Honey, Horsham, PA
Format: Nine monthly sessions combining classroom instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on learning
Class Size: Limited to 24 participants
Tuition:
$500 per individual
$800 per couple
What's Included: Each registered participant receives their own course textbooks, educational materials, and hands-on learning experiences.
Additional Benefits: Opportunities to purchase bees and beekeeping equipment at discounted prices.
Experience Required: None! Whether you're preparing for your first hive or simply want to learn more about honey bees, this course is for you. You do not need to own bees to participate.
Hands-on apiary activities are dependent on weather and colony conditions.
Ready to Begin Your Beekeeping Journey?
Space is limited to 24 participants!
Learn the bees. Understand the colony. Experience the season.
