Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Hello future beekeepers!!!!

  This class will be held in person at the Rock Creek campus in building 4.  We will be opening and getting into live bee hives, every class for lab time (required) except for the first day, so PPE is required every day of class except the first day.  The first day we will look at what's inside an empty hive in the classroom and some protective equipment options plus tools.  We will also discuss basic beekeeping terminology along with what the bees look like inside the hives we will be opening a hive on day 2.  Attendance will be taken daily and points assessed for attendance and lab time.

  If you have your own bee suit or protective gear please bring it the first day since we will be discussing different types of PPE.  The college does have some jackets and full bee suits to use in class if you don't have your own.  You will be required to buy your own hive tool and I will have some for sale the first day for $15 each.

PPE: a bee suit or bee jacket with protective face covering and protective gloves.  Gloves can be "bee gloves", or any glove with a smooth surface like a goatskin gardening glove or 9mil nitrile gloves found at Harbor Freight.  The college has bee jackets & bee suits you can borrow during class.  I can't guarantee every size will be available, but we will talk about and try on PPE the first day of class.

hook (or "J") hive tool.  Should be 10-10.5 inches long, made from tool or spring steel.  Shorter tools are not useful for prying, and stainless steel is not strong enough and will bend.

sources:

• Our Biz is BEES  https://ourbizisbees.com (local supplier)
• Mann Lake LTD.  https://mannlakeltd.com  (online supplier)
• Dadant              https://dadant.com  (online supplier)

Book: The Beekeeper's Handbook 5th edition, by Diana Sammataro & Alphonse Avitabile.  should be available in the book store or online at Amazon, approx. $30.