Join Cail Calder, aka “The Beeman“, of Westerbee honey for a sweet and informative workshop dedicated to the art of harvesting honey. Whether you’re a new beekeeper or a seasoned enthusiast, this hands-on session will guide you through the entire honey harvesting process—from knowing the perfect time to harvest to bottling your delicious liquid gold.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
- How to identify when your hive is ready for honey extraction;
- The tools and equipment needed for a safe and effective harvest, including uncapping knives, extractors, and strainers;
- Step-by-step instructions for removing honey-filled frames from the hive while maintaining colony health;
- Techniques for uncapping the honeycomb and extracting honey with minimal mess;
- How to filter and strain the honey to remove wax and debris;
- Best practices for storing and preserving honey to ensure its flavor and quality;
- Tips for understanding the different types of honey you may harvest based on the bees’ forage, and how to enhance its taste and appearance.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have the skills and confidence to harvest honey like a pro!
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is perfect for beekeepers of all levels who are excited to learn about honey harvesting and want hands-on experience. It is geared toward adults and high school students.
Materials:
All necessary tools for the extraction process will be provided, including frames, extractors, uncapping tools, and honey jars. You’ll also receive a guide to help you with your own future honey harvests. Participants are required to bring a suit and/or bee veil as we will be opening hives for inspection and discussion.
Parking is available in the main parking lot at Barlow Nature Preserve, with overflow parking in the field behind the outbuildings to the east (up the farm road).
Workshop is $15 per WLT member and $25.00 per non-member, which Cail generously pledged to donate to WLT. Registration is required; spots are limited.
This is the third in a three-part workshop series. While each workshop can be attended independently, we invite you to consider registering for all three for the maximum impact.
Session 1: Setting Up Your Hive, March 27
Session 2: Beehive Check: Caring for Your Colony, May 31
