Big day tomorrow: revamped beekeeping class

[DLMKA]

Back in November during our club's planning meeting we were discussing our beekeeping class and how we never had enough time wth the three hour class and not near enough good information was being presented to help a new beekeeper be successful so I volunteered to revamp the program and topics. We went from a 3 hour free class to an all day 6 hours plus lunch with a $50 fee. Lunch is included as is association dues and state association dues. We've got a packet of information in a folder, about 50 pages worth of quality handouts and the Keith Delaplane book along with some catalogs and copies of ABJ and Bee Culture.  We had 24 people sign up with a couple more that may be walk-ins depending on work schedules. We took out a lot of the stuff on extracting and bottling and rendering wax, figured that didn't belong in a beginner class. Where we are spending more time is talking in details about where and how to set up and apiary, biology and lifecycle, choosing and buying hives, disease identification, varroa mite counts. We used to spend 2:40 talking about how great and wonderful beekeeping is and how great the honey and wax is and 20 minutes on the stuff that prevents new beekeepers from being successful and they quit after a couple years after hives "just die" every year. I want people to be excited about beekeeping and not make the same mistakes the rest of us did and I want them to be successful. We'll see how it goes starting at 0900 CST tomorrow.

[kebee]

Now that sounds like a good class, hope all will eat the information up that will be precedent.

Ken

[Perry]

Well done! I look forward to hearing how it went. We have a couple of folks up here that put on a "class" or two on their own, but what the content is, is unknown.

[Bakersdozen]

Good luck.  It's great to spread the knowledge.  Revamping the class is wonderful.  The beginners already know how wonderful it is to keep bees.  That's why they are there.  They just want to know how to get started and is it right for them.  Beginners need to know where resources are and the fundamentals.  Hey, some of them should probably leave thinking, for whatever reason, that beekeeping may not be the thing for them.

[DLMKA]

Class went REALLY well. Skimmed though the surveys before going out for beer and pizza and all the feedback was positive, couple little things that a few people wished we'd spend more time on and a few presenters doubled up a little on topics but not bad IMHO especially given that we started with a blank slate back in November and not a lot of collaboration as people put their presentations together. I started out with a pretty detailed outline of what I thought each section should cover and it worked out better than I had hoped for. All the files are saved on my hard drive and will be uploaded to the website this week so we can tweak a little next year and make it even better.

[iddee]

Good to hear. Congrats.

[Perry]

Well done! 

[Bakersdozen]

That's great!

[riverbee]

very, very cool dlmka!!!

[DLMKA]

Went through all the surveys and feedback last night. Everyone had a positive experience. We decided to leave the honey harvesting, extracting, and processing out of the beginners class on purpose so we had more time to talk about more pertinent things for a first year beekeeper but almost half the people wanted more about that. We'll have to rectify that next year I guess.  Couple people wanted to learn more about top bar hives but no one in the club uses them other than a few people that have one as an experiment. It was a long day and that came up in the feedback as well, almost everyone wished instead of a single day from 9am-3:30pm that two or more sessions would be preferred. That may or may not be feasible as we have members spread out over a 50 mile radius or more and getting presenters for multiple sessions may be difficult. We also had a little overlap on topics between presenters but given that we started with a clean sheet in November I'm happy with how LITTLE overlap there was and can easily be sorted out for next year.  I'll be posting all of our materials on our website, when I get them posted I'll share a link if anyone wants to take a look.

[Perry]

Great to hear all the feedback was positive. Maybe instead of two sessions on one day, have two on a weekend (2 days) and include the harvesting part on the second day.
We are spread out a lot further than 50 miles here. Our AGM will have many if not most driving at least 2 hours one way. An hours drive for a weekend course and I'd be in.

[iddee]

The presenters need come only on the day they present. The other presenters come on the second day. If one has two classes to teach, put them on the same day, with a break in between.

[DLMKA]

The presenters need come only on the day they present. The other presenters come on the second day. If one has two classes to teach, put them on the same day, with a break in between.

We could do that. We have a year to discuss strategy for next year. I'm in favor or 2 or even 3 sessions and maybe a hands on workshop or two early on. Maybe an equipment build day and early manipulations when the weather warms in March/April.

[litefoot]

Our local Ag center started a free 3-hour beekeeping class each Spring after they began selling bees and equipment. Of course they're trying to drum up business. Almost 100 people showed up the first year, but few actually took the plunge into beekeeping. In fact, many left as the class progressed and it was a big distraction. The presenter didn't impress me much, so that may have been part of the problem. The $50 fee you charged sounds steep, but when you consider all you provided (including lunch...the most important part) it was a bargain. More importantly, however, by charging a fee, you weeded out the tire kickers and brought in those who were serious about learning. Thanks for posting your experience!

[DLMKA]

More importantly, however, by charging a fee, you weeded out the tire kickers and brought in those who were serious about learning.

Nailed it!

[Ziffa]

Hey DLMKA,

Congrats on a successful revamp!  It sounds like a good success.

One thought I had, from my past experience putting on an education conference, is to weigh the suggestions against your purpose.  Just because new beekeepers "want" to hear about all the fun stuff - honey, wax etc. - doesn't mean that's what they "need" to hear.  I am not sure I would change your direction after one go around.  If it was me, I would proceed with my 'vision' as you stated in your first post - giving them the information they need to succeed.  Then I would advertise the "intermediate" session on Honey extraction and wax melting for a discounted price of $25.00 for those who attend the 'Beginning" session. 

Just my  opinion - but you know your audience and resources. 

Congrats and good on you for putting in the time and care to offer a quality course.  Not many would do that on a volunteer basis.  Well done!

love,
ziffa