April 29, 2024 |
Photo – Poster for Bee Keeping 101 – Courtesy CCSD#2
Carbon County School District Number Two’s Board of Cooperative Educational Services is hosting a beginners’ bee keeping class in Saratoga.
On Wednesday, May 1st, at the Platte Valley Community center, Saratoga Middle School Science Teacher Leslie Urasky and local beekeeper Billie Helwick will teach people the basics of bee keeping and honey production.
Helwick said she and Urasky will begin the class with a history lesson on bee keeping. After the history lesson, Helwick said they’ll cover the specific type of equipment needed to successfully keep bees in Saratoga.
Helwick has been bee keeping for 30 years. She said the key to a successful hive is a strong support network. Wednesday’s class will introduce attendees to the Carbon County Bee-Keepers Club.
Helwick said the Carbon County Bee-Keepers Club meets a few times a year. She said club members discuss bee box maintenance and occasionally visit one another’s hives.
Helwick said bees don’t sleep through the winter like other species of animals. The beekeeper said the insects will huddle together for warmth, only venturing out of the hive to go to the bathroom.
Helwick said you need a few essential pieces of equipment to keep bees. She said purchasing the hive is the largest upfront cost.
Helwick said she encourages people to wear their bee suits. She said adequate protection and proper planning can limit the number of stings people receive while harvesting honey.
For many, honey is the main reason to keep bees. Helwick said honey production varies year to year, but a properly maintained hive should produce plenty of honey.
Helwick said bee keeping doesn’t need to be intimidating. Wednesday’s class will provide attendees with the basic information they need to get started keeping bees.
The Carbon County School District Number Two’s Board of Cooperative Educational Services Bee Keeping 101 class is Wednesday, May 1st, at the Platte Valley Community Center, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Attendance is free of charge. However, people are being asked to register for the class no later than the end of today. To register, contact Stacy Erickson at 339-3033 or email serickson@crb2.org.
