Kingdom Beekeepers have provided courses for beginners over the last few years. This year FIBKA have introduced a framework to assist associations in educating their members so this year we are providing the following opportunities for increasing your beekeeping knowledge.
The Stage 1 and Stage 2 courses are now well underway, so they are closed for new members. The information on this year’s courses has been kept for reference only.
Beekeeping Stage 1
Kingdom Beekeepers will be running an introduction to beekeeping on Wednesday evenings starting on 25th January 2023 on alternate weeks. This is an introduction to beekeeping and comprises seven lectures. On completion of full attendance at these lectures, participants receive a Certificate of Attendance, and can progress to Beekeeping Stage 2. These sessions will be held ONLINE via Zoom. There will also be two practical sessions with bees at the Club Apiary in Tralee. (weather dependant so dates subject to change).
Online dates are: 25th Jan, 15th Feb, 1st Mar, 22nd Mar, 5th April. Apiary dates are 22nd April am and 29th April pm.
Please click on this link to see the course content: FIBKA Stage 1 Syllabus
The cost of the course is €150 (*€95 for under 16’s). This includes the online sessions, apiary practical sessions, a beekeeping manual and membership of The Kingdom Beekeepers Association for 2023, which covers affiliation to FIBKA, third party insurance for your beekeeping activities, and monthly magazine An Beachaire, including access to back issues. We hold monthly meetings throughout the year where aspects of beekeeping will be discussed at lectures and demonstrations.
*Please note: under 16’s must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian at all times whilst online and whilst attending Association events.
Beekeeping Stage 2
Kingdom Beekeepers will be running Beekeeping Stage 2 sessions on Wednesday evenings starting on 18th January 2023 on alternate weeks. There will also be two practical sessions with bees at the Club Apiary in Tralee (weather dependant so dates subject to change). Anyone who has completed a preliminary/beginners course run by a FIBKA affiliated association can move on to Stage 2. The student will have a logbook provided by the tutor who will sign off prescribed activities. The logbook covers seven points of learning:
- Honeybee natural history
- Honeybee management
- Honeybee pests and diseases
- Honeybee products and forage
- Manipulation of honeybee colonies
- Equipment
- Stings
When the logbook is completed and submitted to FIBKA for verification and the candidate has completed a short multiple choice questionnaire the candidate will be awarded a certificate of proficiency in Beekeeping Stage 2. The cost is €75 to cover certification, log book and an online multiple choice questionnaire.
Online dates are: 18th Jan, 1st Feb, 22nd Feb, 15th Mar, 29th Mar. Apiary dates are 22nd April pm and 29th April am.
To join the Kingdom Beekeepers’ Association without doing the beginners course, please follow this link: https://kingdombeekeepers.com/membership/