EXT XAF.0163 - Queen Rearing Mentor Workshop
Description
Why not rear your own queens? This year we are happy to present our advanced beekeeping offering in addition to our Mentoring Apiary Workshop series. The University of Minnesota Queen Rearing Mentor Workshop teaches our method for rearing queens that has been successful for both backyard and commercial beekeepers. Topics covered include queen and drone biology, timing of queen rearing in northern climates, setting up mating yards, and record keeping. This will be a classroom and hands-on course. Everyone will have a chance to try their hand at grafting larvae, setting up a finishing colony, and shaking a swarm box.
Workshop Requirements
Beekeepers should come into this workshop with a basic understanding of honey bee biology and hive structure. We welcome all interested in learning how to raise queens with at least one year of successful beekeeping experience. We also recommend having completed the Beekeeping in Northern Climates Course in the past.
- Participants must be 18 years or older.
- Participants will bring an open attentive mind, pen/pencil, and notebook.
- Participants will bring a veil or bee suit/jacket to wear in the apiary.
- We encourage gloveless beekeeping.
Workshop logistics
The Queen Rearing Mentor Workshop will be held at the UMN Bee Lab. Parking will be available in the field across the street from the lab (signage will be present). Workshop instructors will welcome students for registration beginning at 8 a.m. on June 27, 2026. Lunch will not be provided, so students are encouraged to bring their own or grab lunch during the 90-minute lunch break. Snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the day during breaks.
The Bee Lab apiary is on uneven ground – please contact us with any questions or concerns about mobility and we will make every effort to make accommodations. In the event of poor weather, we will postpone the class until Sunday, June 28 2026.
Course instructors
- Dr. Marla Spivak: UMN Bee Lab McKnight Distinguished Professor Emeritus
- Nelson Williams: UMN Bee Lab Apiary Manager
- Ben Ziegler: UMN Bee Lab Researcher
- Jessica Helgen: UMN Bee Squad Director
- Isabell Dyrbye-Wright: UMN Bee Squad Researcher
Contact Nelson Williams at williamn@umn.edu with any questions or concerns.
Registration information
Registration fees are $100 per participant. Registration will be open from Monday, February 2, 2026 – Friday, June 19, 2026. Please register early as this workshop is capped at twelve students. A waitlist is available. We will cancel the workshop if we do not receive enough registrations by June 19, 2026. Cancellations prior to close of registration will be refunded in full minus any cancellation fees. Cancellations by participants after registration closes on June 19, 2026 will be refunded 50% of workshop registration. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after June 25, 2026.
Registration help
Contact Extension Registration at ext-reg@umn.edu
If you experience difficulties logging in
Contact the University of Minnesota IT Help Line at 612-301-4357. Mention you are using a University of Minnesota "guest account" to register for a non-credit event.If you have an account already but haven't logged in for over 365 days, you'll need to reset your password.
To register by phone and/or to register multiple people
Paying online using our registration portal is secure, available 24 hours a day, and provides immediate enrollment. However, if you wish to register by phone, Extension registration professionals are here to help. Please contact us using one of the following methods. We will be in touch within three business days.- Request registration by phone: z.umn.edu/registrationhelp (preferred)
- or call the voicemail line to leave a message at (612) 626-5174