Beginning Backyard Beekeeping (B3)
The 2020 B3 sessions enrollment now open!
The Beginning Backyard Beekeeping (B3) certification is designed from the ground up to cater to budding beekeepers seeking the shortest and most sensible path to having bees. The 4-week course will thoroughly prepare students with all the practical knowledge necessary to start working with honeybees in their own backyard.
An online test will be administered during the course and all passing students will receive official SBBA B3 patches. Students will receive an invitation to a catered B3 Graduation Celebration at the Buzz Hive in Whole Foods Santa Barbara, and a special B3 apiary meetup at an SBBA education apiary. All students will receive official SBBA B3 diplomas as well!
2 sessions are offered for 2020 – Spring (February), and Fall (September).
The Spring B3 class will begin on January 28th.
The Fall B3 class will begin on September 1st.
Space is limited to 20 students per session, so sign up now!
Location: La Cuesta High School at 710 Santa Barbara St. in Room 2
Instructor: Paul Cronshaw – Paul has over 40 years of beekeeping experience.
Cost: $125.00 (Includes 1 year SBBA membership and site visits to SBBA’s apiaries for hands on training)
B3 2020 Enrollment Now Open!
B3 Spring Session Registration
B3 Spring Session Dates:
February 4, 2020 – February 25, 2020.
Every Tuesday for 4 weeks from 5:30pm – 8:00pm.
B3 Fall Session Registration
B3 Fall Session Dates:
September 1, 2020 – September 22, 2020.
Every Tuesday for 4 weeks from 5:30pm – 8:00pm.
Topics covered include:
- Bee biology, behavior, energy and health
- Beekeeping laws
- Colony Collapse Disorder
- Pesticide and honeybee pests
- Bee stings and first aid
- Specific steps and considerations to become a beekeeper
- Hive selection (Top Bar and Langstroth), philosophy, and basic management
- Swarm behavior and catching
- Bee rescues
- What you can do to help honeybees and other pollinators
- Special considerations for beekeeping in the Central Coast climate
Space is limited to 20 students per session, so sign up now!