Bees 106: Honey Harvest & Processing 2026

Level: Everyone

Date: August 1

Alternate date: August 8 (weather or honey-readiness contingency)

Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Credit Hours: 4 hours

Prerequisite: Completion of a short course (or equivalent) 

Course Description Course #106 bridges the gap between hive and jar, introducing participants to both basic honey removal and full processing. This workshop expands on processing fundamentals by adding hands-on experience with common harvesting approaches used in small-scale beekeeping.

Participants will practice surveying colonies, identifying ready honey supers, and safely removing individual frames or supers while minimizing stress to the bees. The day continues with full honey processing—extraction, bottling, and labeling—giving students a complete first look at the harvest workflow.

This course is well suited for beginners ready to move beyond observation and into guided, practical harvest participation. Participants will take home two bottles of honey they helped produce.

Topics include:

• Surveying colonies for harvest readiness
• Common honey super and single-frame removal techniques
• Honey extraction
• Bottling and labeling

Before the Workshop

Safety & Participation Requirements This course involves extended hands-on apiary work and requires a higher level of personal responsibility:

• Participants must provide and properly use their own protective beekeeping equipment
• Participants are required to watch a pre-class safety video prior to Day 1.
• All participants must agree to and adhere to Bee CARE Institute apiary rules, safety protocols, and instructor direction throughout the course.
• A signed liability release is required before engaging in any apiary activities.

Failure to follow safety protocols may result in removal from apiary activities without refund.

All participants must arrive dressed appropriately for hands-on apiary work. At a minimum, the following clothing is required:

• Full-length sleeves
• Protective gloves (beekeeping gloves recommended)
• Loose-fitting, full-length trousers made of thick fabric
• Sensible, close-toed shoes (boots or sturdy shoes recommended)

Participants without appropriate clothing may be excluded from apiary activities for their safety and the safety of others. No refunds will be issued for failure to meet minimum safety requirements.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bee CARE Institute at the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild, 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, United States

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