Beekeeping
Online Course & Mentor Program with Two Hives Honey
SPI partnered with Two Hives Honey, a Central Texas-based apiary that maintains over 350 hives and specializes in producing raw, artisan honey. Two Hives Honey focuses on sustainable beekeeping practices and engage in educational efforts to raise awareness about the importance of beekeeping, pollinator health, and the environmental impact of honey production.
With the support of the USDA 2501 grant, SPI has sponsored 30+ socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers in taking the “Intro to Beekeeping Capstone” online course. This self-guided 4 part course provides the tools and information needed to prepare for beekeeping and better understand if it’s the right fit for your operation.
In 2024, thru the Spring of 2025, SPI sponsored 12 beginning beekeepers in the Two Hives Honey Mentorship Program. The 50+ hour beekeeping program provides an immersive, hands-on experience in beekeeping in Central Texas. This program occurs over a 6-month period to give students the nuance and seasonality of beekeeping. Each session includes bee work in the bee yards, hands-on demonstrations and workshops on making and hanging swarm traps, making pollen patties, honey extraction, creating products from beeswax and much more!
APPLY FOR THE ONLINE COURSE!
If you are interested in taking the online “Intro to Beekeeping Capstone”, visit the USDA Economic Research Serivce website to see if you qualify and complete the application below.
Additionally, you’ll be required to:
• Complete a pre-test to assess your knowledge of bees and beekeeping.
• Pay a $20 fee to Two Hives Honey (The regular cost of this course is $75)
• Post-course, you will receive a post-test to assess knowledge gained from the course.
All photos are of the Spring 2024 semester of the Two Hives Honey mentorship program.
