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Beekeeping Basics

HOME & GARDEN, NATURE & ANIMALS -
Winter/Spring 2023

Have you thought about keeping bees? This is the opportunity to learn more about these vital and fascinating creatures providing so much of our food. The instructors, or apiarists, have over 60 years of combined experience and will pass along not only the facts, but also tips from hands-on experience in the field and many years in the beekeeping business! Learn more about your bee passion from Vermont based beekeeping experts at this popular Access class.

These three sessions will enlighten, and maybe even inspire you to start a few hives of your own!  Plenty of question-and-answer time and all the info needed to start your own operation.  A "possible" 4th field session may be offered.  Date, time, and location to be determined based on weather.  

A course book valued at $10 is included in the price. 

Instructors

Don Gilbert

Don Gilbert began keeping bees 12 years ago after taking the CVU Access Beginning Beekeeping Class taught by Bill Mares. He further developed his beekeeping knowledge and skills with the guidance of outstanding mentors including the late Merrill Titemore of St. Albans, Vermont.


Don has participated in numerous advanced beekeeping and queen rearing classes, completed the Vermont Beekeeper Association’s certification program and been awarded the title of “Vermont Certified Beekeeper”. Don currently maintains an apiary with over 20 colonies of bees as well as raises queens and starts new 5 frame Nucs each spring.

His apiary is a part of Sherman Hollow Organic Farm in Hinesburg, Vermont where he and his wife, Sue, also produce and sell maple products as part of Audubon’s Bird Friendly Maple Project.

Bill Mares

Raised in Texas, educated at Harvard, Bill Mares has been a journalist, a high school teacher (here at CVU) and a member of the Vermont House of Representatives. He has authored or co-authored 18 books on a range of topics. He had kept bees for over 45 years, and has been president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association and the Eastern Apicultural Society. With Mike Willard, and others, he has taught over 800 novice beekeepers in this ACCESS class. He is the co-author with Ross Conrad and others of the newly-published history of beekeeping in Vermont, "The Land of Milk and Honey." (Green Writers Press)

Deborah Rubin

Deborah Rubin has worked as a hobbyist beekeeper off and on for the past 10 years. She has had the privilege of being mentored by Bill Mares. She recently joined the hale group in the production of BTV honey. She is presently (mostly) retired as an Attending Physician in Radiation Oncology and has taught at UVMMC as Associate Professor in Radiology.



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Map/Locations
Locations
Champlain Valley Union High School
369 C V U Rd
Hinesburg, VT 05461
807_J

  Bill Mares , Deborah Rubin , Don Gilbert

Champlain Valley Union High School : 104
Tue May 16, Tue May 23 & Tue May 30
6:30 - 8:00 PM
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$ 65.00
Per Person