Gaston County Beekeepers Association (GCBA) 2027 Beginners Bee Course: This is an introductory course that is designed to help you learn what you need to know to get started in beekeeping. The course covers Basic Bee Biology, Castes, Anatomy, Life-cycles, & Pheromones , Apiary Set-up, Wooden-ware & Tools/Equipment, Seasonal Hive Management, Honey Bee Diseases, Pests, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategy and Treatment Options, and Harvesting and Extracting Honey. We will have door prizes to give away throughout the semester as well as raffles for items like a complete hive w/bees. Seating for this course is limited. Preregistration is advised. We have two options available: A 10 week, weeknight class where we meet once per week on Monday evenings 7-9pm or an all day Saturday course 8am-5:00pm for those that can’t make the weeknight class. We highly recommend the 10 week extended course as the all day course is a lot of information to digest in a day but for some that’s the only option. If you miss a class, don’t worry we will have videos of classroom instruction available for registered students. When registering scroll down and make sure you choose the appropriate class selection before submitting. If purchasing as a gift or as a couple, register each individual separately with their name. Here’s what’s included in the courses:

Your tuition cost includes the following: classroom instruction, Beekeeping For Dummies textbook, annual membership in Gaston County Bee Association (GCBA), annual North Carolina State Beekeeper Association (NCSBA) membership, and access to our mentor program. In addition to this course, students will be able participate in our wooden-ware assembly workshop, and both field days where participants will get hands on opportunity to work live bee colonies. The 2nd field day will also have a bbq or catered mill for students and immediate family. During the course students will be given the opportunity to purchase bees and wooden-ware at a discounted rate, as well as get expert recommendations on what gear/equipment to purchase. So, don’t feel rushed to go buy bees, gear, & equipment in advance. Students will also be given the chance participate in our honey harvesting/extracting workshop in June/July. Paper registration is available but must be mailed out no later than January 17th to ensure we receive your information in enough time. You can contact GCBA Registrar Jean Bess at (704)860-9380 to ensure class space is still available. CLICK HERE for paper registration form. If buying this class as a gift please enter that student’s name during the checkout process. Please add gcbeekeepers@gmail.com to your contacts as most communications regarding school will come from this address.

Location: Citizen’s Resource Center – 1303 Dallas Cherryville Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034

Date: Start Date – Monday January 25th, 2027

Time: 7:00 PM-9:00PM

Course Fee: $100 per individual

All Day Saturday Course: Saturday, February 20th, 2027; 8am-5pm Fariss Center Bessemer City

To sign up for Bee School – CLICK HERE

Other IMPORTANT Information:

Bees. You will have the opportunity to purchase COMPLETE hives. Consisting of a complete basic hive and an installed nuc (about 3# of bees and a queen)
Other things you’ll need (and more info will be provided in the class) BEFORE you get your bees.
Bee Jacket or Suite (and practice putting it on, and know which way the zippers should go for good seal)
Bee Gloves
Hive Tool
Smoker
Queen Clip