Description

Due to high interest, the 2024 Beekeeping for Veterans classes filled quickly.  For updates on future programs, please subscribe to our newsletter.

The University of Minnesota Bee Veterans program provides free beekeeping education for Minnesota Veterans. Bee Veterans fosters community through hands-on beekeeping training, while promoting the recreational and professional benefits inherent in working with honey bees.

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 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.

For the 2024 beekeeping season, we will be offering several options:

• Five in-person workshops in our Bee Veterans apiary at the MSP airport
• One full day Field Trip to visit a commercial beekeeper (details to come)
• Open House at the Bee Lab (Sunday, October 13)

Five in-person workshops in our Bee Veterans apiary at MSP airport

Each workshop includes time to suit up and enter the apiary, instruction on basic beekeeping techniques, and tips on seasonal bee management. At each workshop we will also focus on one of our senses, and techniques and technologies that may strengthen those senses and abilities. We will also 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. These workshops will be held:

• Sunday, May 19 from 2:00-3:30pm
• Sunday, June 09 from 2:00-3:30pm
• Sunday, July 21 from 2:00-3:30pm
• Sunday, August 11 from 2:00-3:30pm
• Sunday, September 15 from 2:00-3:30pm

Open House at the Bee Lab

To wrap up the 2024 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, October 13, 1:00-4:00pm.

A note about bee stings…

Beekeeping gloves will be available 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 (ma-bees@umn.edu) with questions prior to registration or attending class!

Contact information

Program contacts/instructors:
Jessica Helgen
ma-bees@umn.edu

Josh Muñoz
munoz187@umn.edu

Ben Ziegler
ziegl344@umn.edu

Registration help:
ext-reg@umn.edu

To register by phone

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 our voicemail line to leave a message at (612) 626-5174