BEEKEEPING SCHOOL | Learn Beekeeping with our Apprenticeships and Beekeeping Classes

APPRENTICESHIP

Why choose the Bee Mindful Apprenticeship?

We're honored that the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Science selected the Bee Mindful Apprenticeship as its professional beekeeping training program under a $2.9 million USDA NextGen Grant to help prepare students for USDA career pathways.
Bee Mindful was chosen to help train the next generation of urban beekeepers—a unique recognition that reflects our commitment to providing a professional, structured, and hands-on educational experience.
But don't just take our word for it. Read below what apprentice Edina Toth had to say about her experience. She traveled from New York multiple times to attend our apprenticeship and workshops, and her testimonial beautifully captures what makes this program so special.

What are SEVEN more reasons to choose Bee Mindful?

REASON # 1: Learn from one of only five Master Craftsman Beekeepers in Texas, with decades of beekeeping experience across multiple hive styles and countries. Authentic, extensive real-world experience matters.
REASON # 2: Join anytime. Our rolling enrollment means you don't have to wait six months—or even a full year—for the next apprenticeship to begin (space permitting).
REASON # 3: A colony's life cycle unfolds over 12 months, but not everyone wants to commit to a full year. That's why we offer both 6-month and 12-month apprenticeship options. The 12-month program saves apprentices $400 while allowing them to experience the colony's complete annual cycle.

REASON # 4: With decades of experience and two professional Teaching Apiaries featuring more than 17 different hive styles, you'll gain hands-on experience with a wider variety of equipment than most beekeepers will ever have the opportunity to explore. Our specialty is simpler, lighter, more affordable, and more accessible beekeeping using horizontal hive systems.
REASON # 5: Learn how to keep bees healthy as naturally and sustainably as possible by understanding bee biology, selecting high-quality, resilient genetics, and applying sound management practices that build strong, self-sustaining colonies, naturally.
REASON # 6: Whether your goal is to offset your beekeeping expenses or build a business, we teach practical and professional ways to generate income from beekeeping—from niche hive products and bee sales to consulting, education, and specialized beekeeping services.
REASON # 7: When you join Bee Mindful, you join a community. Long after the apprenticeship ends, you'll continue to have access to our apprentice network, weekly chats, discussion groups, textbook and video library, and ongoing mentorship. We don't just teach beekeeping—we're here to support you throughout your journey.

We hope you join our family!

To secure your spot in our Apprenticeship:

Our apprenticeship is open enrollment based, so you may start any time there is availability (typically the first weekend of the month)

Due to the overwhelming popularity of our program, we now offer 2 cohorts: the first Saturday of the month (cohort #1), and now the first Sunday of the month (cohort #2).

You will remain in your cohort for the length of your apprenticeship (one weekend per month for 6 or 12 months).

Follow the steps below to book your spot.

Availabilities are marked in green on the calendar below. To select your cohort and starting date, click on the green date of your choice.
Select 1 seat (people) to activate the option drop-down menu
Select your preferred option (6 months, 12 months)
Enter your contact information
Enter your payment information
If a green start date is not available this month, try another date later.

If you need a monthly payment plan instead, email us at BeeMindfulHoneyFarms@gmail.com to get set up instead (a 5% administrative fee will be applied to all monthly payment plans).

For details about our program, see the full description below the calendar

PROGRAM BASICS

This program is for everyone, from complete beginner to advanced beekeepers looking for more in-depth learning.

Through over 50hrs of hands-on workshops and live bee inspections per 6 month session, it focuses in depth on the following topics and more:

Honey bee and colony biology
Pests and pathogens of the honey bee
Integrated Pest Management
Troubleshooting Sustainably and Naturally
Equipment assembling and use, tools and gear
Nutrition and emergency feeding
How and Where to get good bees, not just any bees
Swarm trapping and catching
Queen Presence & Spotting
Splitting and building a sustainable apiary
Queen rearing for backyard purposes
Winterizing hives
and much more.

Along with 4hrs or more in the hives per class (weather permitting), handling and learning how to work bees during the active bee season, each in-person meeting day will feature classroom education and/or mini workshops and how-to's, such as:

how to make and bait swarm traps
how to build and/or assemble Langstroth and Top-Bar Hives,
how to assemble a solar wax melter and render bees wax,
how to harvest, extract and bottle honey,
how to harvest, box and market comb honey,
how to make beeswax and propolis products,
how to easily prevent and fix cross combing
how to use a bee vac
how to do a simple cutout
basic queen rearing
brood diseases
and much more.

We will even teach you to make your own Double Horizontal Frameless Hives for less than $50 in materials and 90 minutes with our free plans, and how to easily adapt from Langstroth to Top-Bar Hives, so you can save your back, and save over 80% on equipment and splurge on good bees!

PROGRAM DETAILS & LOGISTICS

Duration

6 monthly credits (one Saturday a month for 6 consecutive months) starting at the registration month
12 month option available at a $400 discount for those wanting to learn through the entire beekeeping season
companion discounts also available, so bring a spouse or a friend!

Maximum capacity

20 students per cohort, with a ratio of Student to Teacher of 10 or less in each cohort

Frequency

Once a month for a full day, the first weekend of the month (generally)
Students may register for this rolling program at ANY TIME during the year by choosing the starting month of their choice.

Format

The 6 months option includes over 50hrs of live classes and virtual workshops, with full-day in-person meetings every first Saturday of the month. Classes are mostly taught as a combination of

hands-on activities, demos and workshops
hands-on in different hive styles (not just Langs!)
professional presentations
exercises, readings and videos

The 12 months option offers twice as much learning, and more importantly covers a full year cycle of beekeeping activity, at a significant discount!

Our program is a balanced mix of theory and hands-on practice, with a focus on becoming a PROFICIENT a COMPETENT beekeeper: we will go in-depth and show you how you can be a successful beekeeper and/or make a living with beekeeping, from the backyard/urban model to a large sideliner, to basic concepts of commercial beekeeping and removals.

Prerequisites & audience

No prerequisites needed.
Complete novices to advanced beekeepers are all welcome.
This course will benefit anyone serious about starting beekeeping with solid bases and improving their beekeeping skills.
The main benefits are increased competency and confidence, to help you become a proficient and independent beekeeper with increased success rate in keeping your bees alive.

Materials and Certificates

Students will have access to textbooks and workbooks, as well as a lending/virtual library of carefully curated beekeeping materials.
A Professional Training Completion Certificate from the Bee Mindful Academy will be issued upon completion, and official referrals will be provided as needed.
We may initially provide loaner suits for the hands-on activities in the beehives if you don’t have one for your first class, then you may buy a ventilated one from us during the program, or get your own.

The Teaching Apiary

The main Bee Mindful Teaching Apiaries are located in Driftwood, TX between Austin and Dripping Springs.
Together, they feature an exhaustive and rich selection of hives, not found in most other apiaries:

Langstroth/Vertical/Commercial Hives
19" Single and Double Top-Bar Hives
17" Top-Bar Hives
Warre Hives
Layens/Horizontal Hives
Horizontal Langstroth Hives
Flow Hives (as supered in season)
Barrel Hives
AZ Hives
and so much more!
On occasions, we will visit a variety of additional bee yards in the area, as needed to deepen your learning.

Use the Calendar on the right to sign up!

Available start dates are highlighted in green
In-person work days are the FIRST Saturday of the month (cohort #1) or the FIRST Sunday of the month (cohort #2) unless specified otherwise

Available discounts:

The prices listed at checkout include a $400 discount on the 12 month option
An additional $300 discount is available for a companion seat for either option (for up to $700 in discounts). Companion seating is only for apprentices accompanying a full seat, but represent a significant discount.
NEW: a Monthly Payment Plans is now also available by request

MAKE-UP CLASSES POLICY

For the 6-month apprenticeship, participants are allowed one makeup class, immediately at the end of the first 6 months.
For the 12-month apprenticeship, two makeup classes are permitted— one at the end of the first 6 months, and another at the end of the remaining 6 months.
Makeup classes need to be attended the month immediately after each of the initial last months within each 6-month block.
Regrettably, makeup classes are not allowed beyond this point, or after an extended absence of several months.

TESTIMONIAL FROM EDINA TOTH, New York

Dear Nathalie and Les,

I hope this message finds you both in high spirits. I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for this great experience I had at your school.

The knowledge, wisdom, and passion you both shared have left an indelible mark on my journey as a beekeeper. Les, your book, "Top-Bar Beekeeping," served as a guiding light for me even before I embarked on this incredible adventure. Your extensive experience spanning over 50 years in the field of beekeeping is awe-inspiring, and I am humbled to have had the opportunity to learn directly from you. Your profound understanding of sustainable natural beekeeping practices and your commitment to the well-being of honeybees have truly inspired me.

Nathalie, your expertise and dedication to the craft of natural beekeeping added a beautiful dimension to the course. Your insights, practical tips, and unwavering support throughout the day were invaluable. Your passion for honeybees and your ability to impart knowledge with such enthusiasm were truly remarkable. I am grateful for the knowledge and skills you shared and the inspiration you provided.

Coming all the way from New York to Texas to learn from both of you was an invaluable journey that I will forever cherish. The hands-on experiences, the enlightening discussions, and the camaraderie among fellow beekeepers created an environment of growth and learning that surpassed my expectations. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the transformative experience I had under your guidance. The knowledge, inspiration, and memories I gained during the course will stay with me throughout my beekeeping journey.

I am deeply thankful for the time and effort you both invested in creating such a meaningful and enriching learning experience. Once again, thank you, Les and Nathalie, for opening your hearts and sharing your expertise. You have not only imparted knowledge but have also empowered me to be a more responsible and compassionate bee-guardian. I am forever grateful for this incredible opportunity. Our world needs more Les and Nathalie. The knowledge I have gained is a treasure and pure gold.

Warmest regards,
Edina

P.S. I cannot wait to come back to TX to learn more from both of YOU.
"Les is more" 🐝.