Alabama Extension: Discover buzzworthy learning through Beekeeping Basics

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, in partnership with the Auburn University Bee Laboratory (AU-Bees), is bringing a new online learning experience to beekeepers through Beekeeping Basics, a free, 12-module course. The self-paced curriculum allows users to complete each module on their own time, making it ideal for individual schedules and learning styles.

Jack Rowe and Allyson Shabel, members of the Alabama Extension beekeeping team, developed the course for those with an interest in learning the fundamentals of apiculture and the early stages of beekeeping. Rowe said the team wanted to devise a method to help new beekeepers navigate their first year with ease.

"The big problem with starting as a beekeeper is not only economic, like the costs of bees, equipment and ongoing medications or treatments, but also the volume of information that beekeepers use in their craft," Rowe said. "Most beginner classes in the state are very much like putting a funnel in someone's ear and backing up a dump truck of information to pour into it. For people who aren't familiar with entomology, it can be confusing and difficult to keep track of all the information and then connect the information to the skills of beekeeping."

Since its launch in fall 2024, the course has attracted more than 400 students. Beekeeping Basics enrollment is open to any aspiring apiarists at aces.catalog.auburn.edu/courses/beekeeping-basics.

TESTED AND APPROVED

AU-Bees advances education, outreach and research to deliver reliable information and foster community engagement among beekeepers. Geoffrey Williams, director of AU-Bees, and the lab's team of beekeepers and researchers were instrumental in creating and fine-tuning the course. Williams and Selina Bruckner, an apiculture assistant Extension professor, performed rigorous critique and review before the course's debut. The lab's team also shared input to make the course both easy to use and informative for beginners.

Rowe said the course lays a foundation for new beekeepers as they explore raising and caring for honeybees.

"This course isn't the end of any beekeeper's education," Rowe said. "Beekeepers need to learn the craft of beekeeping from other skilled keepers. We do our best to outline and describe, but many skills are best learned by practicing the art with an experienced beekeeper."

Rowe said the team supports local beekeepers associations, and he hopes they will use the course as a foundational tool for their new members.

MORE INFORMATION

Alabama Extension and AU-Bees both offer online learning and educational support through science-based research. Across Alabama, the two entities equip beekeepers with the tools needed to sustain honeybee populations and maintain healthy hives. Visit www.aces.edu for more information on beekeeping.

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