GCP&T Beginner Beekeeping
If you are thinking about starting beekeeping as a hobby or sideline business, you need to take a class and talk to real local beekeepers. This is where many of the Greene & surrounding county beekeepers got started. If you already have a frustrating year or two under your belt, that’s even a better reason to join us.
GCP&T Beginner Beekeeping Class Registration
Thursdays 01/22/2026 – 02/26/2026, 06:30 PM – 09:00 PM
Greene County Parks & Trails Headquarters
635 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia, OH 45385
Clark County
Basic Beekeeping
January 16 & 17, 2026
Join Fran and Tom Davidson for an engaging 7-hour beekeeping course that dives deep into the fascinating world of honeybees on Jan. 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Jan. 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this course will teach you how to successfully start and manage your beehive from installation to thriving colonies. This course does require a fee of $50 per person with textbook or $35 without textbook. You may register at go.osu.edu/beekeeping26. Make sure to bring or locally buy your own lunch for the Saturday session.
OSU Extension Office, 3130 East Main Street, Springfield OH
GCP&T Beginner Beekeeping Class
January 22, 2026 – February 26, 2026
Are you looking to start a new hobby or explore a potential new career? If so, this series of 6 classes will help you determine if beekeeping is a sweet fit for you. Meet fellow enthusiasts, ask questions and learn what it takes to become a successful beekeeper.
Three instructors with the Greene County Beekeepers Association will cover everything you need to know in order to start your own hive. You will leave with a better understanding of honey bee biology, behavior and hive dynamics. You will learn about equipment, hive management and maintenance as well as the seasonal life cycle of the hive and how to work with bees for their long-term hive health.
GCBA Monthly Meeting
February 14, 2026
Indoor Field Day – We will have multiple stations presenting different skills for new and experienced beekeepers. This will be a valuable experienced for all to get prepared for the Honeybee Season 2026! This SATURDAY event will be at a different location than our regular meetings – the OSU Extension office at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Watch this page for more details.
Clark County
Basic Beekeeping
March 27 & 28, 2026
Join Fran and Tom Davidson for an engaging 7-hour beekeeping course that dives deep into the fascinating world of honeybees on Jan. 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Jan. 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this course will teach you how to successfully start and manage your beehive from installation to thriving colonies. This course does require a fee of $50 per person with textbook or $35 without textbook. You may register at go.osu.edu/beekeeping26. Make sure to bring or locally buy your own lunch for the Saturday session.
OSU Extension Office, 3130 East Main Street, Springfield OH
GCBA Monthly Meeting
March 17, 2026
Join us for our regular open meeting with featured speaker Larry Johnson who is OSBA Miami Valley Regional Director and will be speaking about “When’s and Whys” of beekeeping. Doors open at 6:30pm and the program begins at 7pm.
Xenia Community Center, 1265 W. 2nd Street, Xenia, OH 45385
When hives get crowded in the spring, bees will swam while looking for a new home.
Starting Beekeeping Right
GCBA sponsors 4-H students by providing them with wooden-ware and mentorship for their honey bee project & the 4-H awards at the Greene County Fair. Read More
Greene County Parks & Trails hosts a Beginner Beekeeping Class in late January through early March with expert GCBA instructors.
GCBA Members are often available to speak to school children and community groups.
Explore Our Educational Resources
Access essential guides and tools designed to deepen your knowledge about beekeeping and environmental stewardship.
Watch Live Beehives
The GCBA helps sponsor apiaries at the Russ Nature Reserve and the Narrows Nature Reserve. You can safely observe the coming & goings of bees as they fly overhead to forage for nectar, pollen and water.
Swarm Reporting & Recovery
Don’t Panic. These bees are docile. Honeybees swarm in the spring to found new colonies. These are temporary camps while scouts search for new homes. We have a list of members who will collect swarms.
Honey Harvest
The annual Honey Harvest at Glen Helen’s Camp Greene, located at 3452 Grinnell Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 – on Saturday, June 21st, 2025 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Join Us in Raising Healthy Bees
Whether you’re just starting out or refining advanced techniques, membership in the GCBA offers a front-row seat to the latest in beekeeping knowledge. Our monthly meetings feature engaging topics and expert speakers — some joining us via Zoom from across North America — covering hive health, business of bee products, Plants for pollinators, queen rearing and more. While most gatherings are open to the public, members enjoy exclusive access to special events and resources. You don’t need to live in Greene County to join, and with annual dues of just $20 for individuals or $25 for families, it’s an accessible way to connect, learn, and grow with a passionate community of beekeepers.
