Basics of Beekeeping
by
South Jersey Beekeepers Association
“Basics of Beekeeping” is a beginning beekeeping course presented by the South Jersey Beekeepers Association (SJBA), a branch of the New Jersey Beekeepers Association. The dates for the Fall course are; Saturday Sept 5 and 19 and October 10, 2026. The live classes run from 8:30AM to 12:30PM at the Camden County Sustainability Complex (508 Lakeland Rd, Blackwood), as well as available online via Zoom.
The core curriculum is suitable for adults and children 12 and older who are new to beekeeping. It provides the basic information you will need to get started in honeybees and qualifies for the education requirements for new beekeepers under New Jersey beekeeping regulations (§2:24-3.1(c)6).
The textbook The Beekeeper’s Handbook, 5th edition by Sammartaro and Avitabile and electronic handouts are included in the registration fee. The cost is $125 per student.
Rob Dietrich, SJBA Education Chair, is the lead instructor for this course. Rob has been keeping bees since 2014 and has been a sideliner beekeeper since 2019. Contact: sjbaeducation@gmail.comBottom of Form
Important: Students must attend at least four of the six classes and must attend Class 4 to receive a Certificate of Completion.
| Class 1 |
9/5/2026 |
Becoming a Beekeeper; NJ Regulations, Honey Bee Biology |
| Class 2 |
9/5/2026 |
Hive Components, Tools, Protective Gear, Getting Bees |
| Class 3 |
9/19/2026 |
Setting Up an Apiary, Feeding |
| Class 4 |
9/19/2026 |
Pests and Diseases of Honey Bees
Note: Mandatory Class |
| Class 5 |
10/10/2026 |
1st year and 2nd year Colony Management |
| Class 6 |
10/10/2026 |
Harvesting Honey and products of the hive |
Along with the classes, field days will be held in the afternoon after each class in a local apiary, time and weather permitting. During the field day, hives will be opened to show eggs, larvae, pupae, workers, drones, queen (maybe), brood pattern, how to light and use a smoker, and how to use a hive tool. Attendance at one field day is required to receive a certificate. There is an option to attend a field day with any of the New Jersey Beekeepers Association branches that must be validated by one of the local branch officers.
Scholarships:
The New Jersey Beekeepers Association (NJBA) offers scholarships for students aged 12 to 21, click here for more info.
SJBA offers two scholarships for students aged 12 to 21, first responders, veterans and active duty military. Contact the SJBA Scholarship Committee via email at sjbaeducation@gmail.com for more information and to request an application form.
The registration deadline is Saturday, August 31, 2026. Payment must be received by this date to allow time for the textbooks to be mailed and delivered before the first class.
