Take a beekeeping course at Tugwell Creek Honey Farm

Why Keep Bees

Probably one of the oldest forms of agriculture, beekeeping can be a great hobby for all ages. Keeping domestic bees benefits the environment by providing more pollination for wild and domestic plants. The honey, wax, and pollen the bee’s produce make beekeeping a rewarding and lucrative hobby. There is a lifetime of learning for those who wish to explore the details of apicultural science. Some find a simple pleasure in quietly observing these amazing animals as they go about their work.

Tugwell Creek Honey Farm is proud to offer a broad range personalized courses in the art and science of beekeeping. Ranging from novice to advanced we emphasize a hands on approach while providing the most up to date materials and handouts on topics covered. We put a regional emphasis on our courses providing a strong foundation to build upon at whatever level of expertise you come with.

Courses are offered year round at our farm and are taught by a master beekeeper with over 30 years of experience. Robert Liptrot has a Masters Degree in Entomology and is a member of the B.C. Honey Producers Association.

Beekeeping Course Structure

Day 1 (8hrs) Theory
Day 2 (8hrs) Hands on practical in our bee yard

Course Description:

A beginner beekeeping course designed to allow the student the
pertinent information and skill to keep one to two beehives at a hobby level.

Teaching Method

The following topics will be covered in classroom sessions of four hours using standard handouts, lecture format, audiovisual presentations, and hands on equipment demonstrations, lab and field day. Each class will be followed up with a question and answer periods.

Topics Covered

-The world’s beekeeping past and present
-Honeybee types
-Honey bee colony, life history, and anatomy
-Honey bee nutrition and production of nectar and pollen
-Activities and behaviours of honeybees
-Beekeeping equipment and starting up
-Hive management for honey production
-Hive products, production, and processing
-Fall and winter management of productive colonies
-Crop pollination and damage to bee colonies by poisoning
-Diseases and pests of honeybees.

Your Instructor

Robert Liptrot has been keeping bees for over 30 years. He has established a bee keeping operation and meadery called Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery. Robert is the past president of the Langley, South Fraser Division of the Fraser Valley Bee Keepers Association, a member of the B.C. Honey Producers Association, and has a Masters Degree in Apicultural Sciences.

Courses are offered seasonally based on minimum attendance. Please email us for more details.