Equipment Workshop

Join us two weeks before packages start arriving to learn how to assemble your wooden langstroth hive and get things ready for your bees.

The workshop will be led by Eric Schoefer who also leads the Apiary Committee. Eric has been beekeeping for 15 years and a carpenter for more.  He makes most of his own beekeeping equipment from scratch, including many different styles of hives (Langstroth, AZ, Top Bar, Lazutin/Layens and other horizontal configurations).

We’ll be showing you the right way to assemble your boxes, frames, and whatever else you need help with. The class will focus on wooden Langstroth equipment but Eric will be glad to work with you on other types and configurations if you bring them with you.

Our friends at BeeWorks LLC can supply you with high quality Amish made woodenware at fair prices. Supplies ordered for this event will be delivered and distributed at the event. You can also buy package bees or Nucs from BeeWorks with packages being available starting on March 27th or 28th. If you sign up we’ll send you what we suggest you purchase and how to do it (they don’t have full online ordering yet). Ordering from BeeWorks LLC is optional though. We’ll show you how to assemble whatever you decide to buy.

While there are many choices of materials for bee hives, this class will focus on traditional wooden equipment. We’ll show you how to properly glue and nail all your equipment for maximum durability and give everything a protective coat of paint. We will have paint on hand that you can take home with you.

If you order your equipment from BeeWorks LLC or bring stuff that you’ve bought elsewhere you can expect to go home with your boxes and some frames assembled and a lesson on how to paint and finish your hives. With a little homework you should have everything you need to install a package or a nuc when they’re available in a few weeks.

We’ll also demonstrate how to light and operate a smoker, your options for protective clothing, and some other nitty gritty.