The Farms: Beehive Observation

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages)

Get a first-hand look at how honey bees manage hive activity at Beehive Observation on Sundays, April 13 and 27, May 11 and 25, June 8 and 22, July 6 and 20 and Aug. 3, 17 and 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. in The Studio and outside at the beehives. (Each class will cover the same material).

Instructor Maggie Wachter will provide an overview of seasonal influences, followed by a peek inside the hives to observe honeybees at work. Traditional and Flow Hives will also be discussed.

$100/person for the series or $20/person/class*. Register here three days prior to each class. All sales are final.

*Students should wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, close-toed shoes and bring a protective bee veil and unscented rubber gloves.

Registration links:

— April 13
— April 27
— May 11
— May 25
— June 8
— June 22
— Aug. 3
— Aug. 17
— Aug. 31

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

When Maggie Wachter began her social work degree at the University of Illinois in 2008, she had no idea that she would become a beekeeper. As for honey, she kept a single jar in the back of her kitchen cabinet for recipes. Today she is a master beekeeper who never eats sugar.

Maggie received her first hive as a gift in 2008. By 2010, she was enrolled in the Master Beekeeper course at the University of Florida. From there, things happened quickly to turn her life around. In 2012, she started teaching beekeeping for Parkland Community Education and today she is a beekeeping teacher, honey judge, mead maker and master beekeeper.

She has also participated in honeybee research at the University of Illinois and the USDA.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

See the complete Spring Session schedule here.