Introduction to High-Altitude Beekeeping Course: December 3 & 10

Introduction to High-Altitude Beekeeping

Are you buzzing with curiosity about beekeeping in high-altitude areas in the Intermountain West? Join us for a virtual event where we dive into the world of beekeeping at high altitudes! In this course, learn the absolute basics of beekeeping in the Teton region to help set you up for successfully keeping your own honeybees. This course is designed for beginning beekeepers (no pre-requisite experience required). By the end of the course, you will have foundational knowledge to get started with your own bees in your backyard hive. The course will be taught by University of Idaho Extension Educator Jennifer Werlin, backyard beekeeper and 4-H beekeeping club instructor.

Class format: Two Online Zoom classes (Wednesdays, December 3 and 10, 2025 6:15-8:15pm MST via Zoom) and 2 summer open apiary sessions. Zoom link will be emailed to you before class.

In the spring and summer (likely in May and July 2025), we will have separate hands-on field “open apiary” hive inspections for attendees of this course (or current TV Beekeeping Association Members with 1+ years of experience). The open apiaries will be located in Teton Valley, Idaho. Protective equipment (suites, gloves, veil, close-toed shoes, etc.) will be required for all attendees. To attend the open apiaries, the prerequisites will be this classroom course or 1+ years of experience and membership to the association (each field session will have a class size limit of 12 students and will require advanced registration).

Recommended course book:

Story’s Guide to Keeping Honey Bees, 2nd edition by Malcom T. Sanford and Richard E. Bonney