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Upcoming events

    • January 24, 2025
    • 6:30 PM
    • March 14, 2025
    • 9:00 PM
    • Mercer County Extension Office, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638
    • 38
    Register

    Central Jersey Beekeepers - Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner - January-March 2025

    This six-evening course will cover all aspects of entry level beekeeping for the Hobbyist in NJ.  No prior knowledge of honeybees or beekeeping is required.  This class is offered by the Central Jersey Beekeepers Association and instruction is led by EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Jeff Burd. Jeff has been keeping bees for over 15 years. Class materials are based on the curriculum developed by Jeff Burd and EAS Certified Master Beekeeper and former New Jersey State Apiarist Grant Stiles. This course fulfills the legal requirements of the State of New Jersey for beekeeper education.

    The location of the class is Mercer County Extension Office, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638.

    Tentative class dates are Friday January 24, 31, February 7, 21, 28, March 14, 2025. There will be at least one ‘hands-on’ field inspection of bee hives, which will be determined by the weather.

    Start time 6:30 pm. End approximately 9:00 pm.
    Class size is limited to 40 students.
    NJBA scholarship is available, click for details.
    Attendees must be at least 14 years of age.

    Topics Covered:

    Bee Biology; Equipment; Getting your bees; Pests; Diseases; State Regulations; Best location; nectar and pollen sources; Colony and Seasonal management; Best Management Practices; Bee nutrition; Harvesting; Products of the hive; Product safety; marketing, honey tasting and more.

    The textbook “Storey’s Guide to Keeping Honey Bees” by Sanford and Bonney, and handouts will be provided. The cost is $150. There is a $25 discount for active 4-H and FFA members; as well as all U.S. Veterans, verification required.
    Enter the corresponding code: 4-H, FFA or Vet when registering.

    There will be an opportunity to purchase equipment, supplies and bees at the conclusion of the course.

    • February 01, 2025
    • 8:30 AM
    • February 15, 2025
    • 4:00 PM
    • Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland NJ 07068
    • 36
    Register

    Essex County Beekeepers Society: Basic Beekeeping

    Basic Beekeeping is a complete three-day course in beekeeping to be held February 1, February 15, and a field day in April TBA

    Class on 2/1 and 2/15, class will be held in the Garibaldi Hall building at 621A Eagle Rock Ave.

    This class is offered by the Essex County Beekeepers Society and overseen by EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Landi Simone. Successful completion of this class fulfills the education requirement necessary to legally keep bees in NJ. Classroom topics covered include: Honey Bee Biology, Beekeeping Equipment, Getting Started with Bees, Keeping Bees in Populated Areas, Bee Plants, Seasonal Management, Honey Bee Pests and Diseases, Harvesting Your Honey Crop, Queens, Queen Problems and Re-Queening. Day 3, Field Day, takes place in apiaries in Montville Twp. and provides students with an introduction to working with the bees. Students will have the experience of opening and inspecting a beehive themselves and obtain hands-on lessons in recognizing the various components of a hive and colony as well as inspection basics such as smoker lighting, protective gear, and correct use of the hive tool.

    A continental breakfast and afternoon snack are included in both days of classroom instruction. Students should bring a bagged lunch or plan on eating lunch at various area restaurants. Students will have access to all slides presented during class as well as supplementary class materials. Students will also be able to purchase equipment at class and be given resources for purchasing bees in spring.

    Landi Simone is an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper, owner of Gooserock Farm LLC in Montville, NJ, and has kept bees for 28 years. She has taught Basic Beekeeping since its inception over twenty years ago and is a nationally known speaker on beekeeping. Additional instructors include Joseph Treimel, past president of ECBS and long-term beekeeper with over 40 years' experience, and former NJ State Apiarist/commercial beekeeper Grant Stiles

    Tuition: $130 for 2 days in February and 1 field day in April. Snow day March 8.

    • February 15, 2025
    • 8:30 AM
    • March 01, 2025
    • 4:30 PM
    • That Honey Place, 511 New Brunswick Ave, Fords, NJ
    • 22
    Register

    Morris Somerset Beekeepers Assn: Basic Beekeeping

    Beginning Beekeeping – February 15, March 1 & Field Day TBA

    This three day course includes 2 full days in the classroom & 1 field day.

    It will cover all aspects of entry level beekeeping for the Hobbyist in NJ. This course fulfills the legal requirements of the State of New Jersey for beekeeper education.

    No prior knowledge of honeybees or beekeeping is required. This class is offered by the Morris Somerset County Beekeepers Association and instruction is led by EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Jeff Burd. Jeff has been keeping bees for over 15 years. Class materials are based on the curriculum developed by Jeff Burd an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper along with former New Jersey State Apiarist Grant Stiles. The class will be held at That Honey Place, 511 New Brunswick Ave, Fords, NJ

    Class dates are February 15 and March 1, 2025. There will be at least one ‘hands-on’ field inspection of bee hives held at a location to be determined and which will be subject to weather conditions.

    The classes are held on Saturdays from 8:30 - 4:30

    Class size is limited to 24 students NJBA scholarship is available, click for details.

    Attendees must be at least 14 years of age.

    Topics Covered:

    Bee Biology; Equipment; Getting your bees; Pests; Diseases; State Regulations; Best location; nectar and pollen sources; Colony and Seasonal management; Best Management Practices; Bee nutrition; Harvesting; Products of the hive; Product safety; marketing, honey tasting and more.

    The textbook “Storey’s Guide to Keeping Honey Bees” by Sanford and Bonney, and handouts will be provided. The cost is $150

    Day One: Continental breakfast provided; lunch on your own. A list of some local lunch spots will be provided once registration closes.

    Day Two: Continental breakfast provided; Lunch will be provided.

    There is a $25 discount for the following (verification required):

    • active 4-H members (use registration code 4-H)
    • active FFA members (use registration code FFA)
    • all U.S. Veterans (use registration code Vet)
    • First Responders (use registration code FR)

    There will be an opportunity to purchase equipment, supplies and bees at the conclusion of the course.


    • February 20, 2025
    • 9:00 AM
    • March 13, 2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • Warren County Community College, Phillipsburg Campus, 445 Marshall St, Phillipsburg, NJ
    • 40
    Register
    Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping

    Basic Beekeeping is a complete four-morning course in beekeeping to be held Thursday Mornings from February 20 through March 13 (or March 20 if there’s a snow day), 2025 from 9:00am-12:00pm with a Field Day following on a date TBD.  It is offered by the Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association and overseen by Cornell Certified Master Beekeeper Jean Miller. Class materials are based on the curriculum developed by EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Landi Simone. Successful completion of this class fulfills the legal education requirement to keep bees in NJ.

    Class size is limited to 40 students.
    NJBA scholarship is available. Click for details.
    Attendees must be 14 years or older.

    Classroom topics include:

    • Honey Bee Biology
    • Beekeeping Equipment
    • Getting Started with Bees
    • Keeping Bees in Populated Areas
    • Bee Plants
    • Seasonal Management
    • Honey Bee Pests and Diseases
    • Harvesting Your Honey Crop
    • Queens, Queen Problems, & Re-Queening

    Field Day takes place at the club’s apiary located near (but not exactly at) 70 Valley Crest Road, Lebanon, NJ. The coordinates for the apiary are 40°37'13.3"N 74°52'15.5"W., Field Day provides students with an introduction to working with the bees. Students will have the experience of opening and inspecting a beehive and obtain hands-on lessons in recognizing the various components of a hive and colony as well as inspection basics such as smoker lighting, protective gear, and correct use of the hive tool.

    Students should bring a snack/drink (if desired) for a mid-morning break. Students will have access to all slides presented during class as well as supplementary class materials. Students may be able to purchase equipment at class and be given resources for purchasing bees.

    Student contact information will be shared with Warren County Community College in order to contact students in case the college cancels a class due to inclement weather conditions.

    Jean Miller is a Cornell Certified Master Beekeeper and a Rutgers Certified Master Gardener. Prior to motherhood she was an engineer in the food industry. She also was a substitute teacher for 20 years in the Flemington area and has been keeping bees for over a decade. Additional instructors may include Jim McCauley, past president of NWNJBA; Mim and Tim Dunne, beekeepers for over 40 years; Idria Knecht; Grant Stiles, former NJ State Apiarist and owner of Stiles Apiaries; and current NJ State Apiarist Meghan McConnell. Additional assistance in the apiary may come from Bob Kloss, EAS Master Beekeeper; James Zdepski and Laura Joiner.

    Tuition: $130 for 2 days of class and 1 field day.


    • March 15, 2025
    • 9:00 AM
    • March 29, 2025
    • 4:00 PM
    • Somerset County Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Park, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
    • 28
    Register

    Raritan Valley Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping

    Basic Beekeeping is a complete three-day course in beekeeping being held March 15, March 29, and a field day in April TBA

    The course is presented by the Raritan Valley Beekeepers.  Instructors are Master Beekeepers and other experienced beekeepers from RVBA and other NJBA branches.

    Class  materials are based on the curriculum developed by EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Landi Simone and overseen by Cornell Certified Master Beekeeper Adele Barree. Successful completion of this class fulfills the education requirement necessary to legally keep bees in NJ. 

    Classroom topics covered include: Honey Bee Biology, Beekeeping Equipment, Getting Started with Bees, Keeping Bees in Populated Areas, Bee Plants, Seasonal Management, Honey Bee Pests and Diseases, Harvesting Your Honey Crop, Queens, Queen Problems and Re-Queening. 

    Day 3, Field Day, takes place in a local apiary and provides students with an introduction to working with the bees. Students will have the experience of opening and inspecting a beehive themselves and obtain hands-on lessons in recognizing the various components of a hive and colony as well as inspection basics such as smoker lighting, protective gear, and correct use of the hive tool.

    A continental breakfast and snacks are included in both days of classroom instruction. Everyone brings their own lunch. Students will receive a copy of the book Storey’s Guide to Keeping Honey Bees, 2nd ed.(2018), and have access to all slides presented during class as well as supplementary class materials. Information on beekeeping equipment and honey bee vendors will be available.

    Class size is limited to 30 students.

    NJBA youth scholarship is available, click for details.

    • September 06, 2025
    • 8:30 AM
    • September 13, 2025
    • 4:00 PM
    • Hunterdon County Complex, Route 12, (Building #1), Flemington, NJ 08822
    • 40
    Register
    Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping

    Basic Beekeeping is a complete three-day course in beekeeping to be held September 6 and 13, 2025 from 8:30am-4:00pm with a Field Day following on a date TBD. It is offered by the Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association and overseen by Cornell Certified Master Beekeeper Jean Miller. Class materials are based on the curriculum developed by EAS Certified Master Beekeeper Landi Simone. Successful completion of this class fulfills the legal education requirement to keep bees in NJ.

    Class size is limited to 40 students.
    NJBA scholarship is available. Click for details.
    Attendees must be 14 years or older.

    Classroom topics covered on Days 1 and 2 include:

    • Honey Bee Biology
    • Beekeeping Equipment
    • Getting Started with Bees
    • Keeping Bees in Populated Areas
    • Bee Plants
    • Seasonal Management
    • Honey Bee Pests and Diseases
    • Harvesting Your Honey Crop
    • Queens, Queen Problems, & Re-Queening

    Day 3, Field Day, takes place in at the club’s apiary located near (but not exactly at) 70 Valley Crest Road, Lebanon, NJ. The coordinates for the apiary are 40°37'13.3"N 74°52'15.5"W., and provides students with an introduction to working with the bees. Students will have the experience of opening and inspecting a beehive themselves and obtain hands-on lessons in recognizing the various components of a hive and colony as well as inspection basics such as smoker lighting, protective gear, and correct use of the hive tool.

    A continental breakfast and afternoon snack is included in both days of classroom instruction. Students should bring a bagged lunch or plan on eating lunch at various area restaurants. Students will have access to all slides presented during class as well as supplementary class materials. Students will also be able to purchase equipment at class and be given resources for purchasing bees for installation the following spring.

    Jean Miller is a Cornell Certified Master Beekeeper and a Rutgers Certified Master Gardener. Prior to motherhood she was an engineer in the food industry. She also was a substitute teacher for 20 years in the Flemington area and has been keeping bees for about a decade. Additional instructors include Jim McCauley, past president of NWNJBA; Brandon Stoneking, NWNJBA First VP; Mim and Tim Dunne, beekeepers for over 40 years; Grant Stiles, former NJ State Apiarist and owner of Stiles Apiaries; and current NJ State Apiarist Meghan McConnell. Additional assistance in the apiary will come from Bob Kloss, EAS Master Beekeeper; and Laura Joiner, NWNJBA Outreach Co-Chair.

    Tuition: $130 for 2 days of class and 1 field day.


Past events

October 19, 2024 NJBA 2024 Fall State Meeting
September 14, 2024 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (Fall)
September 07, 2024 Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping
August 17, 2024 2024 NJBA Annual Picnic and Auction
May 19, 2024 CJBA 2024 Family Bee Day
March 02, 2024 Morris Somerset Beekeepers Assn: Basic Beekeeping
February 24, 2024 NJBA 2024 Annual Winter State Meeting
February 22, 2024 Mid-State Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping
February 17, 2024 Raritan Valley Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping
February 10, 2024 Essex County Beekeepers Society: Basic Beekeeping
January 26, 2024 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (Spring)
October 14, 2023 NJBA 2023 Fall State Meeting
September 16, 2023 Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping
September 10, 2023 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (September)
August 26, 2023 2023 NJBA Annual Picnic and Auction
May 21, 2023 CJBA 2023 Family Bee Day
May 20, 2023 NJBA 2023 Spring Meeting
March 23, 2023 Mid-State Beginning Beekeeping Workshop
March 18, 2023 Morris Somerset Beekeepers Assn: Basic Beekeeping (March 2023)
February 25, 2023 Raritan Valley Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping
February 19, 2023 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (February)
February 18, 2023 NJBA 2023 Annual Winter State Meeting
February 04, 2023 Essex County Beekeepers Society: Basic Beekeeping
October 15, 2022 NJBA 2022 Annual Fall State Meeting
September 10, 2022 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (September)
August 27, 2022 2022 NJBA Annual Picnic and Auction
May 22, 2022 CJBA 2022 Family Bee Day
March 27, 2022 Morris Somerset Beekeepers Assn: Basic Beekeeping
March 12, 2022 Raritan Valley Beekeepers Association: Basic Beekeeping
February 19, 2022 Essex County Beekeepers Society: Basic Beekeeping
February 13, 2022 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (February)
October 02, 2021 SJBA Basics of Beekeeping
April 17, 2021 RVBA Basic Beekeeping Short Course 2021
March 13, 2021 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (March)
February 28, 2021 Essex County Beekeepers Society: Day 4 Bonus Class Only
February 20, 2021 Essex County Beekeepers Society: Basic Beekeeping
February 20, 2021 CJBA Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (February)
November 05, 2020 2020 NJBA Fall Virtual Meeting
February 22, 2020 Essex County Beekeepers Society: Basic Beekeeping: A 3-DAY SHORT COURSE
February 01, 2020 NJBA 2020 Annual Winter State Meeting
January 11, 2020 Sussex County Beekeepers Association: Introduction to Beekeeping
November 09, 2019 NJBA 2019 Annual Fall State Meeting
September 21, 2019 Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (Monmouth County)
September 13, 2019 Beekeeping for the Bee-ginner (Mercer County)
June 29, 2019 2019 NJBA Annual Picnic and Auction
May 19, 2019 CJBA 2019 Family Bee Day
May 18, 2019 NJBA Annual Spring Meeting
February 16, 2019 Basic Beekeeping: A Three-Day Short Course
February 16, 2019 NJBA 2019 Annual Winter Meeting
January 12, 2019 Introduction to Beekeeping
November 10, 2018 NJBA Fall State Meeting
August 11, 2018 2018 NJBA Annual Picnic and Auction
May 20, 2018 CJBA 2018 Family Bee Day
February 17, 2018 2018 Annual Winter Meeting
September 30, 2017 Annual Fall Meeting
August 12, 2017 2017 NJBA Annual Picnic and Auction
July 31, 2017 EAS 2017
July 25, 2016 Beekeeping Courses / EAS Conference
April 23, 2016 Annual Spring Meeting



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The New Jersey Beekeepers Association  is a 501(c)5 not-for-profit organization. 704 Kline Place, Bridgewater, NJ  08807-3135

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