Beekeeping Classes

Queen Rearing for the Small-Scale Beekeeper

July 11th 1-3:30pm

Non-Grafting Queen Rearing Methods for Intermediate Beekeepers

Ready to take the next step beyond basic hive management? This intermediate-level class from Bee Happy Homestead is designed for beekeepers with at least two successful seasons of experience who want to begin raising their own queens without grafting.

Queen rearing allows beekeepers to improve colony genetics, reduce reliance on purchased queens, increase colony sustainability, and better understand honey bee biology — all within a small backyard apiary.

This class focuses on practical, small-scale queen rearing methods that do not require grafting equipment or advanced commercial setups. Students will learn how to use natural bee behavior and strong colony management techniques to successfully raise quality queens in a home apiary setting.

Topics include:

When and why to raise your own queens
Selecting breeder colonies and desirable traits
Timing queen rearing with colony development and nectar flow
The Miller Method
The Hopkins Method
The Nicot System
Cloake Board Method
Cell builders and queen cell management
Mating nucs and queen introduction basics
Common mistakes and troubleshooting

The class emphasizes realistic methods suitable for hobbyists and sideliners managing smaller apiaries while building confidence in queen biology, colony assessment, and seasonal timing.

This class is best suited for:

Beekeepers with at least two successful seasons
Beekeepers comfortable performing hive inspections independently
Small-scale and backyard beekeepers interested in self-sufficiency
Beekeepers looking to reduce dependence on purchased queens

By the end of the class, participants will understand multiple approaches to non-grafting queen rearing and be prepared to begin experimenting with queen production in their own apiaries. The cost of the class is $10 per person.

Click below to register using a credit card. If you would like to register and pay using venmo, send an email to BeeHappyHomestead@gmail.com and a venmo link will be sent to you. Registration will close on July 8th.

Click Here to register

Ergonomics in Beekeeping (and life!)

June 6th 1-3pm

Protect Your Body So You Can Keep Beekeeping for Years to Come

Beekeeping is physically demanding work. Heavy hive boxes, repetitive lifting, bending, twisting, kneeling, and working in hot protective gear can place significant stress on the body. Poor body mechanics are one of the leading causes of back, shoulder, knee, and wrist injuries among beekeepers.

This practical and interactive class from Bee Happy Homestead teaches beekeepers how to work smarter, safer, and more comfortably in the apiary using proper ergonomics and posture techniques.

Topics include:

Proper lifting mechanics for hive bodies and supers
Protecting your back, knees, shoulders, and wrists
Maintaining a healthy lumbar curve and posture
Avoiding twisting injuries and repetitive strain
Smart hive setup and apiary layout
Choosing equipment that reduces physical stress
Stretching, strengthening, and injury prevention strategies
Adapting beekeeping practices for long-term sustainability

This class combines practical demonstrations, real-world beekeeping applications, and easy-to-implement techniques that can immediately reduce strain and improve safety in the bee yard.

Perfect for:

Beginner and experienced beekeepers
Older beekeepers looking to continue working comfortably
Anyone managing heavy hive equipment
Beekeepers recovering from previous injuries or looking to prevent them

Learn how to protect your body like you protect your bees — because sustainable beekeeping starts with sustainable beekeepers. The cost of the class is $10 per person.

Registration is now closed

Spring Management for Overwintered Colonies

April 25th 9:30am-12pm

This classroom-based class for beekeepers who have successfully overwintered a colony and are unsure of what to do next.

This class will begin going through spring inspection goals and assessments. The class will dive into the biology behind swarming and several swarm management techniques including splits and 2 forms of the Demaree method of swarm control.

The cost for the class is $10 per person.

Registration is now closed

15-month Beginner Bee School

Ready to start your beekeeping journey with confidence? Our Beginner Beekeeping School is a comprehensive 15-month program (March through June the following year) designed to guide new beekeepers through their first full season—and beyond—with both classroom learning and hands-on experience.

The program includes six in-depth classroom sessions covering essential foundations such as honey bee biology, apiary location and equipment selection, pests and diseases, hive inspections, seasonal management, and package installation with final preparations for success. These sessions build the knowledge you need to understand what’s happening inside the hive and why.

Following the classroom session students participate in seasonal monthly hands-on apiary sessions that put learning into practice. Topics include mite testing, identifying pests and diseases, performing hive inspections, swarm management, and honey extraction. These field sessions are timed to the beekeeping season, ensuring you learn skills when they matter most.

Registration Includes:

A mentoring program for ongoing guidance and support
A discount on initial hive purchases, helping you get started affordably
Practical, experience-based learning designed for true beginners

Whether your goal is to keep bees for pollination, honey, or personal interest, this school provides the structure, support, and seasonal insight needed to become a confident and successful beekeeper.

Student Expectations

To get the most from the program and ensure a strong foundation in beekeeping, students are expected to:

Attend all classroom and hands-on session
Join the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association (RIBA)and attend monthly meetings
Begin beekeeping with two 10-frame Langstroth hives
Subscribe to either Bee Culture Magazine or American Beekeeping Journal
Complete homework assignments associated with each classroom session
Be prepared to spend $1200-1600 minimum the first season for start-up and maintenance costs

2026 Class Schedule

Classes will be held on Saturdays 10am-12pm on the following dates: March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, April 4th and April 11th. If needed, a make-up class will be held on April 18th. The monthly hands-on sessions will be the first Saturday of the month unless there is a conflict with package arrival or inclement weather. In that case, the hands-on session will be the second Saturday of the month. Classes will be held In Charlestown, RI.

How to Register

The cost is $450 per person; one additional family member may attend for an additional charge of $200. There is a class limit of 10 families.

Registration and payment can be made by credit card using the link below. Additional family member can be added at checkout.

If you prefer to register and pay using vemno, email BeeHappyHomestead@gmail.com with Bee School in the subject line and include your name, additional family member’s name (if applicable), and phone number and the venmo link will be sent to you.

Please email BeeHappyHomestead@gmail.com with any questions!

Registration for classes beginning March 2027 will open in January

Beekeeping Classes Instructor Bio

Sara Michaud began her beekeeping journey in 2014 and has since become a respected leader and educator in the beekeeping community. She is a Cornell Master Beekeeper and a past guest lecturer for Cornell University’s bee school, where she shares both practical field experience and science-based instruction. Sara is the Co-Founder of Bee Happy Homestead and has served as President of the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association. She currently serves as Secretary of the Association, continuing her commitment to supporting and educating beekeepers across the state. Her teaching style emphasizes responsible hive management, strong fundamentals, and confidence-building for new beekeepers through science based and hands-on instruction.

Bee Happy Homestead