Events
Northern Illinois
February 1, 9, 15, 22, 2023 - Beekeeping 101 - McHenry County College
Here is where the aspiring beekeeper begins. We’ll cover bee biology, modern beekeeping techniques, construction of hives, and how to acquire bees. Keep bees for the fun of it, as a sideline job, or to help your garden and orchard. Enter the intriguing world of the honeybee. Zoom option available.
Four Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm beginning February 1.
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $59
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
Here is where the aspiring beekeeper begins. We’ll cover bee biology, modern beekeeping techniques, construction of hives, and how to acquire bees. Keep bees for the fun of it, as a sideline job, or to help your garden and orchard. Enter the intriguing world of the honeybee. Zoom option available.
Four Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm beginning February 1.
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $59
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
March 1, 2023 - 7 Ways to Raise A Queen- McHenry County College
The number of small-scale beekeepers is increasing and the demand for locally raised
queen bees is growing. Purchased queens are often raised in areas of Africanized Honeybees or come from migratory bee operations where dangerous viruses are exchanged. Here is an evening discussing the methods used by small-scale beekeepers to raise locally-adapted honeybee queens. Zoom option available.
One Wednesday evening at 7:00pm March 1. $25.00
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $25
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
The number of small-scale beekeepers is increasing and the demand for locally raised
queen bees is growing. Purchased queens are often raised in areas of Africanized Honeybees or come from migratory bee operations where dangerous viruses are exchanged. Here is an evening discussing the methods used by small-scale beekeepers to raise locally-adapted honeybee queens. Zoom option available.
One Wednesday evening at 7:00pm March 1. $25.00
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $25
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
March 8, 2023 - Comb Honey - McHenry County College
Comb honey is old fashioned, honey harvested in the bees own wax case. A hundred years ago honey was removed from the hive and eaten in the comb. Today extracted honey - honey in the jar - is the norm. This course is an opportunity to return to the old (and some contend the healthiest) way of harvesting honey. Producing honey in the comb is the beekeeping challenge, an old-fashioned challenge, explored in this class.
One Wednesday evening at 7:00pm March 8. $25.00. Zoom option available.
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $25
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
Comb honey is old fashioned, honey harvested in the bees own wax case. A hundred years ago honey was removed from the hive and eaten in the comb. Today extracted honey - honey in the jar - is the norm. This course is an opportunity to return to the old (and some contend the healthiest) way of harvesting honey. Producing honey in the comb is the beekeeping challenge, an old-fashioned challenge, explored in this class.
One Wednesday evening at 7:00pm March 8. $25.00. Zoom option available.
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $25
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
April 8 & 15, 2023 - Beekeeping Field Study - McHenry County College
This short course will provide practical, hands-on instruction for installing, manipulating, and inspecting colonies of bees. This hands-on class will meet in a bee yard, so appropriate clothing and bee equipment will be necessary. Spring is the time to start with bees, and this course will walk through it step by step. Learn what you need to know to start out right with bees. This two-meeting class will install a new colony of bees in the first class and return a week later to inspect the colony’s progress.
Two Saturdays April 8 and 15 10:00AM until noon.
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $59
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
This short course will provide practical, hands-on instruction for installing, manipulating, and inspecting colonies of bees. This hands-on class will meet in a bee yard, so appropriate clothing and bee equipment will be necessary. Spring is the time to start with bees, and this course will walk through it step by step. Learn what you need to know to start out right with bees. This two-meeting class will install a new colony of bees in the first class and return a week later to inspect the colony’s progress.
Two Saturdays April 8 and 15 10:00AM until noon.
Location:
McHenry County College
8900 Route 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Registration Fee: $59
Registration Link
or call Dori Sullens 815 455 8559.
Downstate Illinois
January 19, 2023 - Fireside Chat - Don't Procrastinate - Zoom Session - 7 PM St. Clair Beekeepers
Session STARTS AT 7 pm - Click the below link on your smart device or computer to join in
Fireside Chat Zoom Link pass code 123456
Session STARTS AT 7 pm - Click the below link on your smart device or computer to join in
Fireside Chat Zoom Link pass code 123456
January 28, 2023 - Beekeeping 101 - Bloomington, IL Central Illinois Beekeepers
Interested in beekeeping?
Click on the link below to download the pdf with complete information on how to register.
Fee: $100 for CIBA Members, $120 for non members
Beekeeping 101 Workshop Flyer
Interested in beekeeping?
- Learn how to manage your hive and harvest honey
- Use tools and equipment
- Promote bee health
- Seasonal Care
- Mentoring
Click on the link below to download the pdf with complete information on how to register.
Fee: $100 for CIBA Members, $120 for non members
Beekeeping 101 Workshop Flyer
February 11, 2023 - Beginning Beekeepers Class- St. Clair Beekeepers - Edwardsville, IL
A one day beginning beekeeping class conducted by St Clair Beginning beekeepers.
Class session is 08:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
Registration Fee: $60 and second person is $30
For more information (class agenda and map to location) and to register, click on the below link
Beginning Beekeepers Class Registration
Location:
Madison County Farm Bureau
900 Hillsboro Ave
Edwardsville, IL 62025
A one day beginning beekeeping class conducted by St Clair Beginning beekeepers.
Class session is 08:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
Registration Fee: $60 and second person is $30
For more information (class agenda and map to location) and to register, click on the below link
Beginning Beekeepers Class Registration
Location:
Madison County Farm Bureau
900 Hillsboro Ave
Edwardsville, IL 62025
February 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23 - Introduction to Beekeeping 2023 - Springfield, IL
Explore the fascinating world of honey bees and the steps to becoming a beekeeper at “Introduction to Beekeeping.”
This series is designed for someone interested in starting beekeeping or would just like to learn more about honey bees. Topics that will be covered by experienced beekeepers include:
- life of the honey bee
- common pests and diseases
- bee equipment
- how to assemble bee equipment
- placement of a hive
- where to obtain honey bees
- new package installation
- how to inspect a hive
- care of the colony.
The six-part series will be offered in person and via zoom on Thursdays, February 16 and 23, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, from 6 to 7:30 pm.
In addition to the weekly sessions, participants will be encouraged to view pre-recorded videos and review reading material. If weather permits, an outdoor hive viewing inspection will be held on the last class session night.
This program is sponsored by
- University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit
- Sangamon County Farm Bureau
- Prairie State Beekeepers.
Registration fee $45 includes copy of First Lessons in Beekeeping book
Shipping of book is an additional charge if you cannot pick up the book at the Extension Office.
Advance registration is required and is on-line via the U of I Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon events webpage.
Class size will be limited. The class tends to fill quickly so register early
Online registration link for Introduction to Beekeeping Class (is open January 3 to February 10, 2023)
Questions, call the Extension office at (217) 782-4617.
March 29, 2023 - Fireside Chat - Queen Rearing - Zoom Session - 7 PM St. Clair Beekeepers
Queen rearing by Johnny Murdock
Session STARTS AT 7 pm - Click the below link on your smart device or computer to join in
Fireside Chat Zoom Link pass code 123456
Queen rearing by Johnny Murdock
Session STARTS AT 7 pm - Click the below link on your smart device or computer to join in
Fireside Chat Zoom Link pass code 123456
July 14-15, 2023 - ISBA Annual Summer Meeting - Quincy, Illinois
Registration to the ISBA Summer Conference in Quincy Illinois on July 14 & 15, 2023 is now open.
Your ticket provides you admission to both days of the conference.
There are two ticket options:
For more information on ticket prices and how to register, visit the Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association website
A detailed agenda will be published as it becomes available.
Your ticket provides you admission to both days of the conference.
There are two ticket options:
- Without meals (i.e. meals on your own) OR
- With meals for both days - Friday Box Lunch: Turkey or Ham Croissant or a Grilled Chicken Salad, (Each box lunches includes chips, fruit, & dessert). Friday Banquet: BBQ Chicken or Brisket, (includes loaded mashed potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw & muffin). Saturday Noon Meal: Pulled Pork Sandwich (includes chips & fruit). Selections may vary
For more information on ticket prices and how to register, visit the Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association website
A detailed agenda will be published as it becomes available.

Location:
Oakley Lindsay Center
300 Civic Drive
Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: (217) 223-1000 Fax: (217) 223-1330
Map and driving directions
Oakley Lindsay Center
300 Civic Drive
Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: (217) 223-1000 Fax: (217) 223-1330
Map and driving directions
OUT OF STATE
None scheduled at this time