Master Beekeeper Program schedules workshops

The Cornell Master Beekeeper Program will conduct its two-day Apprentice Level Spring Workshop twice this year -- Session 1, April 17 and 18 in Ithaca, and Session 2, May 1 and 2 in Greenwich, N.Y. Experienced beekeepers and those interested in starting with bees are encouraged to attend. Topics include the history of beekeeping; the biology of the honey bee; starting with bees and beekeeping equipment; the colony inspection; spring and summer management; and the identification and management of honey bee parasites and pathogens. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and include four hours of field work. The cost of the course is $125. This includes a textbook and workshop manual. For information and registration materials, call 255-3280 or visit the Web site http://www.masterbeekeeper.org.

The program's Integrated Pest Management workshop also will have two sessions: Session 1, April 24, in Ithaca, and Session 2, Sept. 12, in Greenwich. This workshop provides participants with an overview of the theory and principles of integrated pest management (IPM), a presentation on the identification and life histories of honeybee pests and IPM strategies for managing honeybee pests while minimizing the use of pesticides. Participants receive a manual to complement the lectures. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and include three hours of field work. The cost of the course is $75. For more information and registration materials, call 255-3280 or visit the Web site above.