Open Apiary times are an informal, unstructured gathering of members of the Great Plains Master Beekeeping program. There will be brief demonstrations, questions and answers, and time to get hands-on experience with beehives. Open Apiary will count as 2 hours of field training toward your progress through the Great Plains Master Beekeeping program.

All Open Apiary events occur on the third Saturday of the month. Winter Open Apiary events are either virtual or in-person, but do not include live bees.

January 21st 10am-Noon (SET)

WINTER OPEN APIARY

Zoom Meeting with Propolis Expert Rich Wieske
Topic: Harvesting, collecting and using propolis

February 18th 10AM-Noon (SET)
WINTER OPEN APIARY
Zoom Meeting with William Hesbach

Topic: Winter Colonies and Ventilation

March 18th 10AM-Noon (SET)
WINTER OPEN APIARY
Zoom Meeting with Speaker Dr. Thomas Seeley

Topic: TBD

May 20th 10AM-Noon
OPEN APIARY (First in person, with live bees!)
Nordic Ranch Apiary
Topic: Spring Set Up, Hive Inspection, Mite Check

July 15th 10AM-Noon
OPEN APIARY
Nordic Ranch Apiary
Topic: Hive Inspections, Swarm Management, Mite Checks

August 19th 10AM-Noon
OPEN APIARY
Nordic Ranches Apiary
Speaker Judy Wu-Smart of University of NE Lincoln
Topic: TBD

September 16th 10AM-Noon
OPEN APIARY
Nordic Ranches Apiary
Speaker Cam Lay of University of Montana
Topic: Pesticides and Bee Health

October 21st 10AM-Noon
OPEN APIARY
Nordic Ranches Apiary
Topic: Mite Checks, Feed for Better Winter Bees, Mite Reproduction

December 16th 10AM-Noon
WINTER OPEN APIARY
Zoom Meeting
Topic: Things to Make from the Hive