Back Yard Beekeepers Association To Host Four-Week Bee School In Weston

WESTON, CT — The Back Yard Beekeepers Association will relaunch its annual Bee School this winter, offering a four-week in-person course for new and aspiring beekeepers beginning Jan. 5, 2026, in Weston.

The program, which meets Monday evenings on Jan. 5, 12, 19, and 26 — with a snow date of Feb. 2 — provides an introduction to beekeeping and pollinator support. Participants will also receive access to session recordings to review on their own schedule.

Instruction will be led by a team of experienced apiarists, including Cornell Master Beekeeper Andy Hatt; David Blocher, a Master Beekeeper certified by the Eastern Apicultural Society; Christopher Rountos, a BYBA workshop presenter; and Paula Wolf, Connecticut’s state apiary inspector.

The curriculum covers honey bee biology and behavior, hive setup, seasonal maintenance, pest and disease management, and best practices for supporting pollinators.

Registration for Bee School costs $30 for members of the Back Yard Beekeepers Association. Membership is open to the public and priced at $30 annually for individuals or $40 for families. Those who join now will receive membership through December 2026, which includes access to educational events, monthly “New Bee” Zoom discussions, hands-on workshops, and speaker programs.

“Bee School is more than just a class,” Hatt said. “It’s an opportunity to join a vibrant community of backyard beekeepers who are passionate about learning, sharing, and supporting the health of honey bees in our region.”

The location for the Back Yard Beekeeper’s Bee School 2026 is Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 285 Lyons Plains Road in Weston.

For more information or to register, visit www.backyardbeekeepers.com or email reg@backyardbeekeepers.com.