Beekeeping Academy
Early Bird Special $180/Month
Sign-up by December 31, 2025 with a $100 deposit. Deposit applied to first month’s payment.
Regular price $240/month. Deposit of $100 required to sign-up.
Classes begin in January 2026 and run through October 2026.
1-2 Zoom classes per month, all lessons recorded.
1 weekend a month hands on in the apiary.
Opportunities to gain additional experience making splits and collecting swarms.
Includes 4 private inspections in your bees! If you don’t have bees join us at a Sister Creek Hives apiary for your private sessions!
Option to purchase bees at the end of the season!
Immerse yourself in an extraordinary 10-month journey with the Beekeeping Academy, nestled right in the heart of the Texas Hill Country! This isn’t just a class — it’s a full season of hands-on, behind-the-scenes access to honey bee colonies in Langstroth, Long-Lang, and Top Bar hive styles spread across picturesque teaching apiaries.
From January through October, watch the bees stir from winter torpor and stay alongside them through every fascinating phase of the beekeeping calendar. Experience the rhythm of slow, chemical-free beekeeping that honors the natural life cycle of the colony. You’ll learn how to keep bees healthy without harsh chemicals, discover when and how to harvest pure honey, and learn effective natural methods to manage pests and diseases — all while deepening your connection to the bees themselves.
What truly sets this experience apart is our small, intimate groups. This means you won’t just learn about bees — you’ll observe their behaviors in detail and develop a respectful, personal relationship with your hives. It’s a close-knit community where curiosity and care come first, making every lesson engaging and deeply impactful.
If you’ve ever wanted to step beyond theory and truly live the beekeeping lifestyle, the Beekeeping Academy is your chance to do just that. Join us in this unique, immersive experience where nature, knowledge, and mindful stewardship come together in perfect harmony. Don’t just keep bees — understand them, respect them, and thrive alongside them!
Beekeeping Academy 2026 Deposit
Zoom Syllabus
Final Dates TBD
Jan.
Week 1:
Welcome: Meet & Greet!
Personal Story
Course Review
Post Winter Solstice: What are the bees doing now?
How to Check Your Bees During Winter Months
Apiary Setup
Week 2:
Beekeeping Equipment- Get Your Gear Ready!
Humanity’s Relationship with Honey Bees: From Predators to Protectors
Hive Resources - Wax, Honey, Propolis etc.
Feb.
Week 1:
Life Cycle of Honey Bees and the Colony
Honey Bees as a Super Organism
Weather Update and Gear Check
Week 2:
Honey Bee Nutrition
Robbing Behavior vs. Orientation Flights
Buying Bees
March
Honey Bee Biology
Queen and Colony Pheromones
Early Signs of Swarming
Space Management: Brood Nest Expansion
Preparing for Splits: Leveraging Swarm Cells
Recommended Reading for April: Song of Increase
April
Hive Inspection 101 & Record Keeping
Identifying a Nectar Flow
Making Splits: Walk Away
Drones in a Colony
Recommended Reading for May: Honey Pest and Diseases
May
Disease Identification in Brood Nest, Queen & Adult Bees
Managing for Varroa Mites: Harbo and Sugar Wash
How to Re-queen a Hive
Preparing for Summer Dearth: Bees and Beekeepers! - tips to stay cool and hydrated
June
Colony Health Assessments
Summer Solstice
Dearth Management
Robbing Behavior: How to Protect Your Hives
Preparing for Honey Harvest
July
Varroa Management: Brood Breaks and Re-queening
Summer Feeding: What and Why?
Honey and Wax Harvest
August
Identifying Stress in the Hive
Preparing for Fall Splits and Combines
September
Space Management: Preparing for Winter
Brood Health Assessments: Case Studies from the Apiary
Fall and Winter Feeding: What & Why?
October
Pre-Winter Inspections
Propolis: Benefits in the Hive
Honey Bee Torpor
Winter Bees
Winter in the Apiary: Lift Tests & Bee Gazing
In Person Syllabus
4th Weekend Each Month - Final Dates TBD
Jan.
Assembling Beekeeping Equipment: Top Bar Hives, Langstroth Frames & Supers
Painting & Weatherizing Hives
Preparing Swarm Boxes
Feb.
Waxing Plastic Foundations
Rescue Bars: Top Bar Hive
Hanging and Baiting Swarm Boxes
Hive Inspections: Post Winter Assessments weather permitting
March
Hive Inspections: Space Management
Early Spring Feeding: What & Why?
Colony Health Assessments: Brood Nest Inspections
Early Signs of Swarming
Making Splits- Leveraging Swarm Cells & Mini Mating Nucs
Recommended Reading for April: Song of Increase
April
Hive Inspections: Signs of Swarming & Brood Nest Expansion
Equalizing Colonies: Sharing Resources
Making Splits: Walk Away vs Swarm Cells
Option to join multiple times throughout the month.
Identifying a Nectar Flow
Installing Nucs and Packages
Identify Queens & Drones in a Colony
Recommended Reading for May: Honey Pest and Diseases
May
Hive Inspections: Identifying Pests and Diseases
Managing for Varroa Mites: Harbo and Sugar Wash
How to Re-queen a Hive
June
Hive Inspections: Colony Health Assessments
Dearth Management
Robbing Behavior vs. Orientation Flights
Preparing for Honey Harvest
July
Hive Inspections: Varroa Management, Brood Breaks & Re-queening
Summer Feeding: What & Why?
Honey and Wax Harvest
August
Hive Inspections: Identifying Stress in the Hive
Preparing for Fall Splits and Combines
September
Hive Inspections: Space Management in the Hive
Brood Health Assessment: Case Studies from the Apiary
Fall and Winter Feeding: What & Why?
October
Hive Inspections: Fall Combines & Equalizing Resources
Assessment of Winter Resources in the Hive
Space Management
Winterizing the Apiary