EXT XAF.0147 - Beekeeping for Veterans
Description
The Beekeeping for Veterans program is for MN Veterans with any level of beekeeping experience (including no experience). Bee veils and bee jackets will be provided for participants to wear during apiary workshops, although participants may choose to wear their own protective equipment. Participants are required to wear face protection (bee veil or jacket), long pants, and closed-toe shoes in the apiary. Each workshop includes time to suit up and enter the apiary, instruction on basic and advanced beekeeping techniques, and tips on seasonal bee management. We will deepen our knowledge of honey bee biology and our connection to these incredible pollinators. The workshops are free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Participants must be 18 years or older. For the safety of all participants, no animals other than service animals are allowed in the apiary.
2025 schedule
The 2025 Beekeeping for Veterans hands-on workshops will be held on the following dates:
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Sunday, May 4 from 2:00-3:30pm
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Sunday, June 8 from 2:00-3:30pm
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Sunday, July 20 from 2:00-3:30pm
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Sunday, August 17 from 2:00-3:30pm
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Sunday, September 21 from 2:00-3:30pm
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Sunday, October 12 from 2:00-3:30pm
Open House at the Bee Lab
To wrap up the 2025 beekeeping season, we will host an Open House at the Bee Lab on the University of MN St. Paul campus. Veterans are invited to bring their families, children, and friends to take a tour of the Bee Lab, sample honey from the Bee Vets hives, and participate in pollinator education activities. Pre-registration is appreciated, but not required. The Open House will be held on Sunday, November 2, 1:00-4:00pm.
A note about bee stings
Beekeeping gloves are available at all hands-on workshops and instructors will work with all participants to demonstrate techniques to minimize stings to the beekeeper and disruption to the bees, but we cannot guarantee that participants will not be stung during our classes. Please feel free to contact us (beesquad@umn.edu) with questions prior to registration or attending class!
Contact information
Program contacts/instructors:
Jessica Helgen
ma-bees@umn.edu
Ben Ziegler
ziegl344@umn.edu
Katie Lee
katielee@umn.edu
Registration help:
ext-reg@umn.edu
To register by phone
We encourage learners to register online using our secure portal, available 24 hours a day. 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.
- Send us a message requesting registration by phone: z.umn.edu/registrationhelp (preferred)
- or call our voicemail line to leave a message, referencing Beekeeping for Veterans 2025, at (612) 626-5174