The Austin Urban Beekeeping Meetup group will be presenting a Beekeeping 101 class Saturday, February 5th at 11:00am. The class will be at the Carver Branch Library. Jim Hogg will be leading the class, and I will be helping as well. We are bringing a variety of hive types as well as all the necessary equipment needed to start your first hive.
I’m expecting a rather large turnout so we’d welcome any experienced beekeepers to join us in answering questions from the group. Hope to see you there.
Urban Beekeeping in Austin, Texas 
Oh, this is perfect! I plan on starting a hive this spring.
So I’ve ordered my bees from BeeWeaver Apiaries and I’m getting a wishlist together on on Brushy Mountain (per the recommendation from The Backyard Beekeeper). I’m guessing you spent around $350 on equipment your first year? I’m fine with that but man, the shipping is going to be over $100… Have you found anywhere local that has the same quality of gear?
The shipping is pretty terrible since the items can be so big. Last summer, the Urban Beekeeping Meetup group got a deal with Dadant when folks placed a group order, and they waived shipping cost. We can bring that up in the class next Saturday to see if we can do something like that again. I also think the Williamson County Area Beekeeper Association is doing a group order with Dadant, and they are probably getting a similar deal. You may want to reach out to them.
Hi – I am newly interested in bee keeping and missed your class (which I just found by googling it). On Craig’s list I found a bee keeping class by “Top Bar Beekeeping”: http://austin.craigslist.org/grd/3592036367.html. Can some more-experienced people let me know if this is a good company or good class? Thanks!
Hey Diana. I don’t personally have any experience with Deez Bees nor do I know anyone who has taken their class. However, it looks like this class is being hosted at one of the Austin Urban Beekeeper member’s house. Here is the link to that discussion thread (http://www.meetup.com/Austin-Urban-Beekeeping/messages/boards/thread/31611462/post/95214432/?hash=95214432#95214432). Keep in mind this is a top bar hive class which is different than a Langstroth hive. Here is a link to a good beekeeping blog that has compares the two types (http://mistressbeek.com/2010/09/19/top-bar-hive-vs-langstroth/). You’ll need to make up your own mind on which hive you think is right for you.
Thanks so much for this info!
Any new classes?? My daughter and I would love to attend.
Our basis beekeeping 101 classes are usually held once a year in the winter typically January or February.