BEEKEEPING ABOVE THE 45TH PARALLEL
This self-paced online beekeeping course is offered FREE on our YouTube channel and is designed for individuals new to beekeeping or that have been keeping bees less than 5 years and live in Northern climates like Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The course is intended to serve as a science-based foundation using the most current research and understandings of Apis mellifera to improve your knowledge and management of honey bees using the Langstroth hive.
After offering this course for a fee for the last decade we decided that we would offer this course for free this year as a way to continue to support the sustainability of small-scale beekeepers in the Northern US. We also encourage you to check out our in-person workshops to dovetail your online education.
Access the Beekeeping Above the 45th Parallel Online Course by Clicking Here
You might also be interested in our Beekeeping Workshops here on the farm!
FAQs
Who is this course intended for?
The course was developed for individuals new to beekeeping or that have been keeping bees less than 3 years, that live in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula (or areas that experience similar climates).
Do I need bees for the course?
No, actually we prefer you to take the course and then purchase bees.
Do I need special software to view the educational materials?
No, all videos are housed on our YouTube channel under the Courses tab. If you have a good internet connection you will have no issues viewing the materials.
How long do I have access to the educational materials?
You will have unlimited access to all educational materials via our YouTube channel.
Recommended Reading:
There are a multitude of beekeeping books available for new beekeepers. For those interested in books that nicely complement this course we would recommend the following:
- Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping (3rd Edition) by Caron and Connor. Dr. Adam’s favorite textbook for beginners.
- The Beekeeper’s Handbook by Sammataro and Avitabile. A classic book that has been a beekeeper’s resource for decades.
- Beekeeping in Northern Climates by Furgala, Spivak and Reuter. A great short book for Northern beekeepers.
- Honey Bee Medicine for the Veterinary Practitioner by Kane and Faux. This is an advanced textbook written with veterinarians in mind but also serves professional beekeepers. Dr. Adam is one of the co-authors!
- The Beekeeper’s Bible by Jones and Sweeney-Lynch. A fun book with beekeeping history, some management, and lots of folk remedies, recipes and crafts with bee products.
- The Hive and the Honey Bee Revisited. Langstroth’s classic book on beekeeping with commentary by world famous beekeeping expert Dr. Roger Hoopingarner of MSU.
About Your Instructors
Dr. Adam Ingrao is an entomologist and national leader in sustainable agriculture and apiculture. He earned a BS in Agriculture and Environmental Plant Science from California Polytechnic State University and a PhD in Entomology from Michigan State University. His work focuses on harnessing beneficial insects to deliver ecosystem services in agroecosystems, with particular emphasis on honey bees and natural enemies.
Dr. Ingrao is the Co-Founder and National Director of Heroes to Hives, the largest beekeeping education program in the United States, and teaches beekeeping at Bay Mills Community College. He also serves as an instructor for the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program and as an Outreach Specialist with Michigan Food and Farming Systems. With over 30 years of experience in sustainable agriculture and nearly two decades working professionally with honey bees, Dr. Ingrao bridges research, education, and real-world application. His scholarship includes numerous scientific and policy publications, contributions to Bee Culture magazine, and co-authorship of the textbook Honey Bee Medicine for the Veterinary Practitioner.
Lacey Ingrao is Co-Owner of Bee Wise Farms and is our resident Api-therapist, ordained minister, herbal farmer, somatic movement guide and eco-spiritual companion. With a Master's Degree in Transpersonal Psychology, her breadth of knowledge and expertise includes nature-based therapies, somatic & mindful movement, transitions, rites of passage, and connection to spirit. She has a great love for supporting internal healing by way of connecting to our bodies and has done this for almost two decades through various wellness modalities and energy work. While her educational & life path has been committed to nature-being relationships, she has nearly 20 years of experience in Project Management and Event Planning. This work allows her to stay connected with people in a different way by creating meaningful and memorable events.