I’m Teaching an Intro to Beekeeping Class at SkillPop!
- jorders100
- Nov 13
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever been curious about beekeeping, and you live in the Charlotte area, you’ve probably seen the rise in backyard hives, local honey, and pollinator-friendly gardening. There’s a reason for that: more people than ever want to understand how honeybees live, how they benefit our ecosystems, and how everyday folks can support them.
So I’m excited to share that I’ll be teaching Intro to Beekeeping with SkillPop next Tuesday, and I’d love for you (or someone you know) to join us!
Why Learn Beekeeping?
Whether you’re hoping to start your first hive, thinking about hosting bees on your property, or simply fascinated by how these tiny creatures work together, this class will give you a solid foundation. We’ll cover:
🐝 Bee biology: how a colony is organized, how queens are made, and why worker bees run everything.
🏡 How to start a hive: equipment, costs, placement, and what to expect.
🌼 Seasonal care: what beekeeping actually looks like month to month in North Carolina.
📦 Swarm prevention & hive health: how to keep your bees thriving.
🍯 Honey harvesting: when, how, and how much to expect in our region.
You don’t need equipment though we will cover all the essentials as well!
What Makes Working With Honeybees So Rewarding?
People often imagine beekeeping as a relaxing backyard hobby (and sometimes it is!), but what hooks most beekeepers is the sense of connection.
Bees force you to slow down.
To observe.
To work with the environment instead of against it.
And to remember that even the smallest creatures play a huge role in our world.
Teaching this class is one of my favorite ways to share that feeling.
A Peek Behind the Scenes
I’ve spent the past few weeks revisiting photos, equipment, hive stories, and real examples from my apiaries around Huntersville, Charlotte, and the Lake Norman area. Participants will get an inside look into:
What I look for during inspections
Common mistakes new beekeepers make
Local nectar flows (yes, Charlotte bees have favorite plants too)
What healthy brood looks like
How to spot problems before they spiral
I’ll also be sharing some of the wild encounters I’ve seen over the years. As you’ll soon learn, beekeeping never fails to surprise you.
Who This Class Is Perfect For
This Intro to Beekeeping workshop is designed for:
🔹 Future beekeepers
🔹 Gardeners
🔹 Homesteaders
🔹 Nature lovers
🔹 People who want bees on their property but prefer a hosted hive program
🔹 Anyone who has ever said, “I’ve always wanted to learn about bees!”
No suit required. Just your attention and curiosity!