Urban Apiculture Institute

The mission of the Urban Apiculture Institute is to promote honey bees and healthy beekeeping practices in Milwaukee County.

We train beekeepers in practical, successful, and responsible urban beekeeping practices and foster closer relationships among beekeepers. Furthermore, we educate the public about the benefits of bees to our environment and the wonderful products of the hive.

Keeping bees in urban areas increases vegetable production in gardens as well as seed production in native wildflower gardens.

Keeping gentle European honeybees will dilute the
aggressive behavior common in feral honeybee colonies.

Honeybees are being kept in at least 5 locations in the City of Milwaukee.

Honeybees are being kept in virtually every large urban
area in the world including New York, Boston, San Francisco, Detroit, Toronto, London, and Paris.

More people die per year from lightning (100) than from insect stings.

Worker Level
At the Worker level, students first participate in a series of classroom activities geared towards the beginning beekeeper. Classroom activities introduce students to theoretical knowledge of beekeeping. Activitiesinclude lecture, group discussion, and independent study. Preparations for hands-on activities take place during this time and will include the assembly of equipment and equipment manipulation.

Starting in early spring, students participating at the Worker level participate in bi-weekly hands-on training at the UWEX Apiary to be located at the Milwaukee County Grounds Community Garden. Hands-on activities will give students working knowledge and practice in handling and managing honeybees. Activities include hive inspection, manipulation, and management for honey production. Students participating at the Worker level are required to provide a minimal amount of personal equipment including:

• Veil (or bee suit) and Gloves
• Hive Tool
• Smoker

In the fall, students are given the opportunity to take an examination to become Certified Beekeepers. Certified Beekeepers are invited to participate in an advanced beekeeping program in 2009. The Worker program is limited to eight students in 2008.

Queen Level
At the Queen level, students participate in the same activities as those at the Worker level, but are given the opportunity to purchase their hive and take it home at the conclusion of the honey season. Participants should be aware that some municipalities in Southeastern Wisconsin do not allow honeybees to be kept within their municipal limits; therefore, students should check this out before committing to this level of participation.

Drone Level
At the Drone level, participants are invited to join in class room activities and are invited to observe hands-on activities and hive inspection activities in the apiary from a distance. Participants will be invited to assist with the honey harvest and participate in field trips.

Classroom Activities
Students participating at all program levels are invited to participate in classroom activities. Classroom activities will begin on March 15, 2008 and will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 am in Room 207 (Fireside Room) at the Milwaukee County UW-Extension office on the following dates:

• March 15, 2008 - Introduction to Honeybees
• March 22, 2008 - Hive Management Techniques
• April 5, 2008 - Honeybee Pests
• April 12, 2008 - Beekeeping Equipment

Hands-on Activities
Hands-on beekeeping activities at the UWEX Apiary at the Firefly Ridge Community Garden in Wauwatosa and begin when the bees arrive, which is typically between April 12 and May 3. Hands-on activities take place weekly through the middle of May and biweekly from May through October. Due to size limitations, direct hands-on activities are limited to the eight participating at the Worker/Queen levels. Students participating at the Drone level are invited to observe hands-on activities and hive inspection activities in the apiary from a distance.

Field Trips
Field trips may include visits to apiaries at the Milwaukee/Waukesha County Beekeeping Club, Michael Fields, and/or Growing Power. Field trip dates have not been finalized.

For more information about the Urban Apiculture Institute or the Master Beekeeper program, contact one of our staff:

Harris Byers
harris.byers@ces.uwex.edu

Linda Reynolds
Milwaukee County UW-Extension
932 South 60th Street
West Allis, WI 53214-3369

414-290-2417
414-290-2424 fax
linda.reynolds@ces.uwex.edu