Basic Beekeeping is a complete four-morning course in beekeeping to be held Thursday Mornings February 19th, 26th, March 5th and 12th, 2026 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:

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. 

Tuition: $130 for 4 Thursday morning classes and 1 field day.