Beekeeping

Want to be a better beekeeper? Beekeeping plays an important role in preserving pollinator populations and safeguarding biodiversity. Successful beekeepers understand how honey bees function, behave, and thrive. At its core, keeping honey bee colonies healthy and productive hinges on recognition, observation, and knowing how to respond to colony needs to support their success. In this course, you will explore the fundamentals of honey bee biology and beekeeping, providing you with a comprehensive foundation to become comfortable and confident in managing your own hives. You will begin with the basics of how to get started in beekeeping then explore ways to support your colonies throughout the year. You’ll also discover how to identify and navigate scenarios like swarming, Varroa infestations, and queen issues. Throughout the course, you will examine ways to apply practical knowledge and hands-on techniques used by experienced beekeepers and Cornell experts to your own colonies. Whether you are brand new to bees or have a few years of experience, this course will enable you to build a strong foundation for successful beekeeping. This course fulfills the legal requirements of the State of New Jersey for beekeeper education per New Jersey Administrative Code Title 2, Chapter 24 §2:24-3.1(c)

These courses equip beekeepers from the hobby level to the commercial level with the concepts, knowledge, and best management practices needed to pass Cornell University’s Master Beekeeping Certificate written, oral, and field examinations. By the end of these beekeeping courses, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to keep colonies healthy and productive year after year. You’ll be able to expand the amount, quality, and type of bee products and services you produce, and you’ll have the understanding to determine whether to take advantage of the business opportunities that beekeeping can provide. You’ll gain a deep understanding of honey bees as living organisms and be able to navigate controversial topics so you can communicate with credibility in the beekeeping community. Lastly, you’ll be able to act as a resource to educate new beekeepers and participate in bee research and outreach.  In order to receive the final certificate, students must contribute meaningfully to a set number of discussions, moderated by Cornell University Master Beekeeping facilitators, and pass the written, oral, and field exams. The exams include a written exam, the delivery of a presentation, and a field exam where individuals will demonstrate key beekeeping skills. A Cornell University Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Entomology, will be awarded to individuals who successfully complete the required coursework and receive a passing grade on all three exams. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear. The exams can be scheduled and completed simultaneously. Please note there is a prerequisite of three years’ minimum experience in order to enroll in the program.