Practical Beekeeping Class

  Anyone interested in becoming a beekeeper or that is just curious about honeybees and beekeeping is welcome to attend.   

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The next class meets from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Office on Cook Avenue on the following evenings:

 Next Class Schedule

Class sessions typically run the full 2.5 hours including a 10 minute break.    For additional information please email the instructor:

Bob Fanning

K4vb_hs@knology.net

Phone: 256 883 9601

Class Location 

MADISON COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE

CHARLES H STONE AG, 819 COOK AVE NW

HUNTSVILLE, AL 35801-5983

Phone: (256) 532-1578

Fax: (256) 539-6484

Click here for a map

(Across the street from the Farmer’s Market)

A special thanks or the Alabama County Cooperative Extension Office in Huntsville, AL USA for their support and for providing the class room space that makes this class possible at no cost to the students.     This is a free class and no prior beekeeping experience is required.    It is open to anyone wishing to become a beekeeper as well as to anyone just curious about honeybees and beekeeping.

This class is based on the VCR video series by Dr Keith Deleplane entitled:

Honeybees and Beekeeping - A Year in the Life of an Apiary

The class covers basic beekeeping fundamentals as well as all activities required by a new beekeeper for one full year in the apiary.

The January and February time frame for this class was chosen because that is the least busy time in the beekeeping hobby or business.    It is also a time when potential students have less other activities for the class to compete with.     It allows those interested in becoming beekeepers time to purchase bees and equipment in time to start beekeeping this year.

About the Instructors

Photos by Chris Cambron

Bob Fanning is a retired engineer from Motorola.   He is a second generation beekeeper who owns and operates a 100-colony apiary in south Huntsville that has been in continuous operation since 1910.   He manages eight different "bee yards" scattered around the city of Huntsville.   He is a past president of the Madison County Beekeepers Association where he currently serves on the Board of Directors and past president of the Alabama State Beekeepers Association.   Bob was selected Beekeeper of the Year in 1999 by the Alabama Beekeepers Association.

Chris Cambron still works for a living as a crew leader for the Huntsville Utilities Gas division.     Chris has 20 colonies in a couple of locations and is active in honeybee removals from homes and buildings.    He has served as Secretary/Treasure and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Madison County beekeepers.

A very special thanks to the Madison County Cooperative Extension office for hosting this class.

Thanks also to Scott and Frances Akridge for their assistance in selecting suitable class room facilities.

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Last updated 12/14/09 bob fanning