GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County UF/IFAS Extension recently welcomed 60 participants to the Beginner Beekeeper’s Short Course.

Clay County Extension hosts the interactive beekeeping course two Saturdays every year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Participants traveled from across Northeast Florida to hear from the seasoned experts: veteran beekeepers and Master Beekeepers, the Agriculture and Natural Resources County Extension Agent, and the District Apiary Inspector.

Guests came pouring in and received an extensive binder of resources, and were ready to learn all about beekeeping. Speakers discussed bee biology and behavior, the ins and outs of all a beekeeper’s equipment, inspection rules and regulations, and everything to expect when starting your first hive.

Participants had the chance to talk one-on-one with experienced and passionate beekeepers; the course ended with an informative question and answer session with the experts and a quick trip to the Clay County Beekeeper’s Association demonstration apiary on site at the extension office. Participants left the course with a jar of locally produced honey in hand, confident and excited to start a hive and join a strong local community of beekeepers.

According to researchers at the University of Florida, there are almost 5,000 registered beekeepers in Florida and just about 85% of these are considered “backyard” beekeepers (owning as many as 40 hives). Hobbyists take interest in beekeeping to pollinate their crops and garden, produce honey and simply to enjoy the caretaking of the hive.

More and more residents across Florida are starting their own backyard hives, and Clay County’s Beginner Beekeeper’s Short Course is the perfect event to get all the information you need to get started.

Keep an eye out for the next Beginner Beekeeper’s Short Course this September and contact the Clay County Extension office for more information.