Beekeeping & Orchard Management, Two Courses in Washington State

Two Beekeeping & Orchard Management Courses being offered in Washington State Become a Master Beekeeper, help pollinate local crops, and satisfy your sweet tooth! Washington State University Snohomish County Extension and Beez Neez Apiary Supply are teaming up to sponsor three sessions of the popular apprentice level course in the Master Beekeeper Program. The five-week course provides a thorough introduction to beekeeping for novice beekeepers as well as a comprehensive refresher course for experienced apiculturists. The first session starts Monday evenings, November 7 through December 5, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in McCollum Park at WSU Snohomish County Extension's Cougar Auditorium, 600 128^th ST SE, Everett. The five-week course will be repeated in 2012 starting Monday, January 9, 2012 and again starting Monday, February 27, 2012. Participants completing the five-week course and passing the Washington State Apprentice Beekeeper level exam (an open book test) will receive a certificate towards the Journey and Master Beekeeper levels of training. Each session will be taught by local beekeeping professionals, WSU Snohomish County Extension entomologist Dave Pehling, and Jim Tunnell, owner of Beez Neez Apiary in Snohomish. Class size is limited and so register soon. The cost for the five-week course is $70 per person. Register online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/179862. You can also download the Beekeeping form here and mail with your check. For registration information, contact Karie Christensen at (425) 357-6039 or e-mail christensen4@wsu.edu. For more information on the course, contact Dave Pehling, pehling@wsu.edu, (425) 357-6019. Orchard Management: Cider Fruit Production Course on December 10th, 2011 with Northwest Agriculture Business Center This one day orchard management class will offer the basics of tree fruit production with emphasis on cider and dessert apple varieties. This is a great opportunity for hard cider makers to learn about cider fruit quality and practices needed to produce large yields. Expert orchardist Gary Moulton will discuss topics on rootstock, nutrient management, pest management, irrigation, orchard layout planting, pruning, and harvest techniques. Course will be held at the WSU Northwest Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon, WA. The course will run from 9:00am - 4:00pm, December 10, 2011.

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You may register online at the Northwest Agriculture Business Center website, https://www.agbizcenter.org/node/69 or contact Ann Leason at NABC (360-336-3727). This project is funded in part by the WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

NABC was created in 2006 as a response to a critical need for a single regional business support organization focusing on practical, hands-on technical assistance for the development and expansion of new and existing agricultural businesses. NABC is involved in producing or supporting value-added products and services that will tip the balance toward profitability for many of the small and mid-sized farms in the five county region of the NABC. The NABC, as a five county organization including Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish counties, is positioned to take advantage of economies of scale, linking knowledge and financial resources across county lines.

Northwest Agriculture Business Center: Phone: 360-336-3727 · Fax: 360-336-3751 · E-Mail: info@AgBizCenter.org