Garden for the Environment: Beginning Beekeeping: The Basics and Mid-Season Colony Health

So you’re thinking of becoming a beekeeper? This workshop is an introduction to bees and beekeeping practices whether you’re starting a backyard hive or are just curious about bees. We’ll cover some basics on bees, their progress through spring and summer, and what to expect as colonies expand in the warmer, longer days. There will be a class outline, suggested reading, and additional recommendations provided. Instructors will bring an observation hive for you to see bees in action, and you’ll also get to see GFE’s hives from a distance.

The class is designed for absolute beginners so no prerequisite knowledge is required. We will have more beginning beekeeping classes this year, and each will emphasize what is happening in a beehive throughout the seasons. Keep checking our workshop schedule for more beekeeping workshops!

Instructors:

Cara Ching is the Director and Co-Manager for SF Bee-Cause, a volunteer-run, two-year beekeeping apprenticeship program that educates adults on how to be competent and confident beekeepers with science based knowledge. In addition to this role, Cara serves as the Volunteer Coordinator and Educator for the San Francisco Beekeepers Association, where she supports community engagement and brings education and awareness to schools, libraries, and organizations about the importance of pollinators.

In her spare time, she thinks about how to turn honey into delicious treats!

Lynne Rousseau: For over two decades, Lynne has been immersed in the world of beekeeping, has maintained active hives, and developed a deep appreciation for these remarkable pollinators. Beyond managing her own hives, She’s passionate about sharing her knowledge through educational outreach, from observation hive demonstrations and honey tastings at senior homes and schools to mentoring veterans through Hives for Heroes. Her urban homestead reflects her broader commitment to environmental sustainability and provides year-round resources for pollinators. Sharing the wonders of bees and the taste of local honey, and witnessing the joy it brings, continues to fuel her passion for beekeeping and environmental education.