Classes

Classes

The SBBA is proud to continue educating new and existing beekeepers through our Beginning Backyard Beekeeping (B3) Certification course. You can learn more and sign up below.

The SBBA is committed to education throughout the community to raise awareness of the plight of the honey bee.

Beginning Backyard Beekeeping (B3)

The Santa Barbara Beekeepers Association is excited to announce the B3 session dates for 2021. Ever since our sold-out debut in 2015, this course has consistently been in high demand for new beekeepers as well as more experienced beeks wanting to brush up their skills with new knowledge and techniques. Enrollment for the 2021 courses are now open!

The 2021 B3 sessions are now open for enrollment

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 course thoroughly prepares students with the practical knowledge necessary to start hosting honey bees in their own backyard.

Due to COVID-19, we are currently conducting these classes virtually via Zoom. At the conclusion of each class, a video recording is made available to students. We plan to return to in-person instruction once the COVID-19 situation passes.

In addition to the Zoom classes, the B3 course also offers an optional in-person apiary meet-up. Attendance at the meet-up is not mandatory. Since it is conducted at an outdoor apiary, we are able to observe proper social distancing. These meetups are offered at multiple times so that attendance can be limited to 5 people per event. A video recording of each meetup is provided to students who prefer not to attend in person.

All students who complete the B3 course will receive an official SBBA B3 certificate of completion. Students who pass an optional online final exam will receive an official SBBA B3 patch to proudly wear on their bee jacket.

Class Size: Each session is limited to 20 participants.

Cost: $125.00 (includes 1-year SBBA membership and invitation to future apiary meet-ups.)

B3 2021 Enrollment Now Open!

B3 Spring Session Registration

B3 Spring Session Dates: February 2, 2021 – March 9, 2021 (six consecutive Tuesdays) 6:00pm – 7:30pm, via Zoom

Registration Closed

B3 Fall Session Registration

B3 Fall Session Dates: September 14, 2021 – October 12, 2021 (five consecutive Tuesdays) 6:00pm – 7:30pm, via Zoom

Register Now

Testimonials

from previous B3 students

"I highly recommend this class to the novice beekeeper and to anyone else who wants to increase their interest and passion for honeybees. My appreciation for bees has multiplied many times over and I’m immensely grateful to have met like-minded people.”
Patty M
"I highly recommend this class to the novice beekeeper and to all that seek to increase their interest and passion for honey bees. This is an incredibly informative course in a very relaxed and beautiful setting where you will learn about how to care for bees and, beyond their pollination services to feed us, how bees foster, support, and teach us how to be mindful and awakened human beings. My appreciation for bees has multiplied many times over and I’m immensely grateful to have met like-minded people.”
P. Murphy
"We would like to recommend the SBBA B3 course, “Beginning Backyard Beekeeping.” The class was entertaining, educational and balanced with comprehensive resources and an excellent philosophy towards beekeeping/having and life itself. ”
Joanne and Neil Q.

Apiary Meetups

Four to six times a year, members meet for two hours at an educational apiary to get hands-on beekeeping experience centered around the seasonal changes and needs of the hive. Due to COVID-19, these meetups are currently being held virtually, via Zoom.