Name: 2026 HOIBA Beginner Beekeeping Course
Start: 2026-01-24T09:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-01-24T15:00:00-06:00
Location: Peoria County Farm Bureau

Heart of Illinois Beekeepers is offering a Beginning Beekeeping class On Saturday January 24, 2026 at the Peoria Farm Bureau.
Snow DATE Saturday February 7th, 2026.
Excellent program for Master Gardeners, or 4-H students, Veterans, First Responders that want to understand pollinators and desire to get out doors and enjoy a peaceful hobby.
Come learn about the fascinating honeybees and how to manage them and their home, the beehive.
In a five-hour class session, you’ll learn from experienced beekeepers, videos, written material, and hands on demonstrations. You’ll receive instructions on the kinds of equipment you need, where to get it and where to get your bees. Your class fee (for non-members) also includes a 1-year membership to the Heart of Illinois Beekeepers Association (HIBA) which provides access to future meetings and club Apiary inspections to further your beekeeping knowledge!
The classes will cover the following topics:
• Honey bee Biology
• Basic’s of the hive, Equipment, Etc.
• Where to buy bee hive equipment
• Obtaining and installing Honeybees
• Inspecting and Managing the hives
• Solving common Beekeeping challenges
• Learn about the HIBA sponsored Wildlife Prairie Apiary
• Learn about the Army Corp apiaries in East Peoria
When: Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Snow date Saturday February 7,2026.
Where: Peoria County Farm Bureau 1716 N. UNIVERSITY, Peoria, IL 61604
Cost is $60.00 for non –members,$45 .00 for Veterans and $45.00 for members. This amount includes, bee book, membership & Lunch. If you would like to bring a spouse or a child (age appropriate please minimum 12 yrs) that’s ok it’s a family membership. An additional $10.00 is charged for additional guests. Lunch is available from local vendors within a short distance of the facility or provided at the venue.
How: Register by mail ,or pay pal on our website : BEFORE JANUARY 22TH, send your check or money order along with registration form below to our HIBA treasurer. [email protected]