PRIOR LAKE, MN—A 15-week experiential, intensive beekeeping course will be offered this spring and summer by staff from Wozupi, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s organic garden, orchard, honey, maple syrup, and organic egg producing enterprise. Open to the public, this course will be held Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon from April through October. The course will cover all phases of beekeeping, including extracting and bottling honey.

The course is designed for those interested in gaining guided, hands-on experience for a season without investing heavily in the initial startup costs. Many backyard beekeepers quit due to lack of experience and know-how after investing in expensive equipment and beekeeping supplies.

Students will be able to learn and observe 20 hives in the tribe’s teaching apiary, while managing their own personal hive with guidance and support from trained SMSC beekeeper Victoria Ranua. Students will provide their own personal gear (veil, hive tool, honey bottles, etc.) while the instructor will provide bees, hives, and honey extracting equipment.

“This is a hands-on, experiential course for those who are ready to become successful beekeepers in the backyard or beyond. Participants will manage their own hive with guidance, and we will also have in depth discussions on a number of topics,” said Ranua.

Topics covered in this course will include:

Shakopee Mdewakanton Enterprise

Bees in a hive. This intensive course will give those who want to become beekeepers all they need to know about beekeeping for fun and profit.

• How to package a new hive.

• How to split a wintered hive.

• Spring management techniques, disease management, and wintering a hive.

• Managing honey and extracting/bottling techniques

The course costs $585 with an additional $50-$200 for supplies, based on participant’s equipment preferences.

The Wozupi Cabin (2041 140th St NW, Prior Lake MN 55372) will host the class on these dates: April 13, 20, and 27; May 4 and 18; June 1, 15, and 29; July 13 and 27; August 10 and 24; September 7 and 28; and October 19, 2013.

Wozupi is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. For more information on the course, contact Victoria Ranua at 612-432-8746 or email victoria.ranua@shakopeedakota.org with questions.