Keeping bees can be simple, healthful, and rewarding! In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of starting and managing a home apiary with Burleigh Sunflower & Cliff Sunflower. Burleigh is co-owner of Erskine’s and a beekeeper with 30 years of beekeeping experience. Where did Burleigh get that experience? His father, Cliff Sunflower, is a Certified Master Beekeeper, retired now from commercial beekeeping. At one point, their apiary numbered 425 hives across the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. Cliff is a wonderful storyteller – his career also included performing his trademarked educational show, “Dancin’ with the Honeybees” to Elementary School audiences all over the East Coast.
Burleigh & Cliff will introduce participants to the world of bees, the hive they live in and the tools needed to care for them throughout the year. The course will meet over six sessions; the first class will be held indoors in the Chester Town Hall and the following five in Burleigh’s backyard with his beehives. Space is limited.
What: Introduction to bees, hive components and tools.
For Who: Never ever beekeepers and very beginner beekeepers. Ages 8 and up: ages 8-14 must be accompanied by paying adult, ages 15 and up may attend without a chaperone.
Where: Split between Chester Town Hall and Burleigh’s Apiary at Treehog Farm.
When: For 2026, we’re setting a specific date for the first workshop, and leaving it a little vague for the remaining 5. These sessions are weather dependent, and after a few years of running the class, we’ve learned it makes more sense to come up with the exact date and time closer to it happening. We aim for a Saturday or Sunday either way.
- March 21 (Saturday, 9am to noon), Indoors at Chester Town Hall. Intro to the honeybee lifecycle and beekeeping equipment.
- Late April at Treehog Farm. Hiving Package Bees.
- Mid-May at Treehog Farm. Spring in the hive!
- Late July at Treehog Farm. Varroa mite management and treatments.
- Mid September at Treehog Farm. Pulling Honey. One of the many rewards of keeping bees!
- Mid-October at Treehog Farm. Preparing your hives for winter.
What to bring on field days:
Water Bottle, snacks, note pad and pen, Epi-Pen if you have sensitivity to bee stings and protective clothing (minimum required = veil). We do have some protective clothing available to borrow. Please let us know if you’d like this option.
Cost: $225 per person (add a second person from your household and save $30). Payment is due upon signup to secure your spot!
Course includes 12+ hours of hands on-course work with field days to get experience with live bees.
Stop by Erskine’s with your registration form or call us at 802-875-2333 to register.