Beginning Beekeeping

So you want to become a beekeeper?

We recommend these steps to all local beginners:

Enroll in our new Beginning Beekeeping online course
Join the Country Barn Beekeeping Club
Register your hives with the State Department of Agriculture.
Take your time completing the initial steps. Don't get the bees and equipment first!

Country Barn Farm Beekeeping Club

Our farm sponsors the County Barn Beekeeping Club. This is a forum for local beekeepers to get together throughout the year and support each other.

For meeting information and to register for the club, please visit Country Barn Farm Meetup. The meetings are meant to be fun and informative for both beekeepers and anyone interested in becoming a beekeeper.

Beekeeper Joe Zgurzynski shows a frame of honey bees to two beginners during his class

Beekeeper Joe Zgurzynski inspects a frame of honey bees to two beginners during his class

Beekeeper holds up a frame of honey bees to examine them and a closeup of honey bees on comb

Upcoming Online Classes

New Courses for Winter/Spring 2021

Beginning Beekeeping Online - Available Now

This course is designed for beginners and offers several hours of video lectures designed to teach you the basics of first-year beekeeping.

We’ve packed a ton of information into this course - from the three types of bees, equipment requirements, and visits to Joe’s apiary so you can observe how he manages his hives.

We’ve also included supplementary materials:

Hive-side guide to help keep track of your hive inspections
First-year beekeeper calendar so you can more easily keep track of hive management throughout the year
Equipment recommendations list
One year of email mentoring from beekeeper Joe

Once you’ve completed the coursework for the class, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement for your efforts.

Beginning Beekeeping with Joe Zgurzynski

Advanced Beekeeping Class - March 6, 2021

This workshop offers experienced beekeepers detailed information on how to maximize hive health. The course will include: an overview of seasonal management issues, mite control, feeding, swarm management, and making splits. The goal is for students to learn how to become more confident beekeepers.

Pre-registration is required.

When: March 6, 2021 from 9am to 1pm
Where: Class for 2021 will be conducted virtually

Cost of attendance: $75

Advanced Beekeeping

Email Sign Up

EQUIPMENT SALES

Country Barn Farm Beekeeping Equipment

Country Barn Farm stocks beekeeping equipment and can also drop ship whatever you need directly to your location whenever you need it. We have hives, jars, protective gear and gift items always in stock in Pittsburgh! We will help you select the equipment you need to be a successful beekeeper. Let us help you! Please email or call us for a price list or to place an order. Our hours are by appointment.

Beekeeper Joe Zgurzynski examining a frame of queen bee cells in his apiary