Bee Business

Bees play an integral role in our planet's production of food, which makes their survival as a species closely tied to our own, explains Brian Peterson of Bees in the D.

"It is believed that one third of all food that we consume each day relies on pollination by bees," says Peterson. For this reason, he says, "It is important that we understand these amazing creatures. As you gain a greater understanding you will be fascinated by their complex little lives!"

Peterson will teach a special two-day educational workshop Aug. 23, 2017, titled Beekeeping for Beginners on OU's main campus at Pawley Hall, located at 456 Pioneer Drive. The workshop is open to the public for registration and begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $80.

"Participants will walk away with a greater understanding about honeybees and learn how they can become a beekeeper, " Peterson says, which includes how to differentiate between bee species, identify a hive's hierarchy and collect honey samples.

Beekeeping for Beginners is part of the Summer Institute at Oakland University's School of Education and Human Services.

"It's not just for educators but for all community members including teens," says Lisa A. Reeves, executive director of outreach and program services at SEHS. "Michigan summers are amazing, and we are excited to provide this enrichment opportunity."

Once you've learned the bee basics, consider taking your knowledge to the next level in the Introduction to Apiculture and Sustainability course offered by OU's Chemistry Department.

"Our course goes over all of the biology of bees, plus extensive knowledge about beekeeping and teaches foundations of sustainability science," says instructor Linda Schweitzer, associate professor of environmental chemistry at OU. "The students also learn how to make hives and hive materials and get at least six trips to the hives."

Register for a course today and see what all the buzz is about. Registration for Beekeeping for Beginners is available at oakland.edu/ops/workshops/beekeeping. Registration for Introduction to Apiculture and Sustainability is available through SAIL.

Update: An earlier version of this story listed the beekeeping workshop July 18-19 at a cost of $160. The workshop has been moved to Aug. 23, 2017, to accommodate schedules. Cost is $80.

For more information about workshops at the School of Education and Human Services, please contact Kelly Quintana at [email protected]. Click here for more information about classes in the Chemistry Department.